Austin Metro City Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin Metro City car check
Is the Austin Metro City reliable? We analysed 6,476 real MOT tests across 1,481 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin Metro City? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin Metro City 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 City.
Austin Metro City Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin Metro City. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin Metro City MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin Metro City to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin Metro City Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin Metro City fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin Metro City Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin Metro City owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin Metro City MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Metro City year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 82 | 65.9% | 23,235 | 35,936 | 53,014 |
| 1989 | 3,177 | 66.4% | 33,586 | 48,172 | 66,005 |
| 1988 | 1,183 | 66.7% | 26,571 | 42,994 | 60,570 |
| 1987 | 534 | 64.2% | 27,645 | 39,940 | 54,960 |
| 1986 | 359 | 69.1% | 27,437 | 37,426 | 55,369 |
| 1985 | 268 | 73.5% | 32,727 | 45,912 | 56,359 |
| 1984 | 327 | 72.8% | 19,895 | 34,792 | 49,941 |
| 1983 | 267 | 71.2% | 27,967 | 42,071 | 70,108 |
| 1982 | 269 | 64.7% | 34,188 | 43,187 | 57,061 |
How Long Does a Austin Metro City Last?
Based on 1,481 Austin Metro City vehicles on UK roads.
Austin Metro City Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin Metro City MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro City
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.5% MOT pass rate from 268 tests
64.2% MOT pass rate from 534 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin Metro City is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.5% across 268 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.2% — 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 City Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Metro City THIS CAR | 67.2% | 6,476 | 44,955 mi | 44 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 |
| Audi A3 S Line 30 TFSI | 90.3% | 9,619 | 28,939 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 City outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin Metro City you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Austin Metro CityShould you buy a used Austin Metro City?
The Austin Metro City has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.2% across 6,476 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Austin Metro City are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (640 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (458), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (398). 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 City owner drives around 832 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 City models stay on UK roads for around 44 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.