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Austin Metro Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Metro Auto car check

Is the Austin Metro Auto reliable? We analysed 1,786 real MOT tests across 436 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,786 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.6%
Typical Mileage
33,696mi
Annual Mileage
695mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
45yrs

The Austin Metro Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Metro Auto.

Austin Metro Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Austin Metro Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Austin Metro Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Austin Metro Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66.6%
1988
70.3%
1987
66.7%
1986
73.5%
1985
69%
1984
65.3%
1983
68.9%
1982
69.1%
1981

Austin Metro Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Austin Metro Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 204
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 105
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 87
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 80
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 69
brake recording little or no effort 65
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 64
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 63
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 57
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 52

Austin Metro Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Austin Metro Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
185 mi/yr
Typical
695 mi/yr
Average
1,695 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,010 mi/yr

Austin Metro Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Metro Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1988 482 66.6% 27,663 36,838 54,505
1987 320 70.3% 19,540 32,297 43,288
1986 186 66.7% 19,078 30,362 43,326
1985 234 73.5% 10,592 19,394 45,768
1984 126 69.0% 23,288 29,074 38,172
1983 173 65.3% 30,646 45,449 62,160
1982 151 68.9% 28,604 41,814 63,900
1981 94 69.1% 16,287 25,518 32,832

How Long Does a Austin Metro Auto Last?

Based on 436 Austin Metro Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
22.0 years
Median
21.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
45 years

Austin Metro Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Austin Metro Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
33,696 mi
75th Percentile
50,770 mi
95th Percentile
78,074 mi
Max Recorded
716,427 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro Auto

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1985

73.5% MOT pass rate from 234 tests

Year to avoid
1983

65.3% MOT pass rate from 173 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro Auto is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.5% across 234 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Austin Metro Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro Auto THIS CAR 68.6% 1,786 33,696 mi 45 yrs
Austin Mini Mayfair 64.7% 51,788 54,118 mi 44 yrs
Austin Mini 1000 City E 64.5% 44,703 54,880 mi 44 yrs
Austin Mini 75.1% 18,242 47,796 mi 66 yrs
Suzuki SX4 S-cross SZ5 Bjet MHEV Agrp 91.1% 628 24,224 mi — yrs

Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin Metro Auto outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro Auto?

The Austin Metro Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.6% across 1,786 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro Auto are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (204 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (105), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (87). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Austin Metro Auto owner drives around 695 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Austin Metro Auto models stay on UK roads for around 45 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Austin Metro Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro Auto reliable?
Based on 1,786 MOT tests, the Austin Metro Auto has a 68.6% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro Auto?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin Metro Auto do per year?
The typical Austin Metro Auto does around 695 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro Auto last?
Most Austin Metro Auto models stay on UK roads for around 45 years based on our analysis of 436 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Austin Metro Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro Auto is 1985 with a 73.5% pass rate across 234 tests.