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Austin Metro Hle Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Metro Hle car check

Is the Austin Metro Hle reliable? We analysed 1,061 real MOT tests across 195 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,061 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.4%
Typical Mileage
43,429mi
Annual Mileage
704mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
45yrs

The Austin Metro Hle 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 steering rack gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Metro Hle.

Austin Metro Hle Number Plates

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

Austin Metro Hle MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

64.5%
1985
73%
1984
67.9%
1983
68.1%
1982
69.9%
1981

Austin Metro Hle Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 110
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 74
Steering rack gaiter split 47
brake recording little or no effort 44
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 43
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 38
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 28
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 27
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 26

Austin Metro Hle Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
172 mi/yr
Typical
704 mi/yr
Average
1,878 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,283 mi/yr

Austin Metro Hle MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1985 121 64.5% 33,691 46,688 59,704
1984 178 73.0% 23,498 33,764 55,832
1983 343 67.9% 25,711 43,465 69,396
1982 166 68.1% 26,724 39,057 55,674
1981 216 69.9% 38,488 54,007 93,169

How Long Does a Austin Metro Hle Last?

Based on 195 Austin Metro Hle vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.7 years
Median
24.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
45 years

Austin Metro Hle Mileage Distribution

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

Median
43,429 mi
75th Percentile
65,768 mi
95th Percentile
104,624 mi
Max Recorded
483,365 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro Hle

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

Best year
1984

73.0% MOT pass rate from 178 tests

Year to avoid
1985

64.5% MOT pass rate from 121 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro Hle is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.0% across 178 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.5% — 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 Hle Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro Hle THIS CAR 68.4% 1,061 43,429 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
Audi A3 Technik 30 TDI 88.4% 910 47,526 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 Hle outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro Hle?

The Austin Metro Hle has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.4% across 1,061 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro Hle are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (110 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (74), and steering rack gaiter split (47). 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 Hle owner drives around 704 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 Hle 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 Hle — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro Hle reliable?
Based on 1,061 MOT tests, the Austin Metro Hle has a 68.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro Hle?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and steering rack gaiter split. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin Metro Hle do per year?
The typical Austin Metro Hle does around 704 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro Hle last?
Most Austin Metro Hle models stay on UK roads for around 45 years based on our analysis of 195 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro Hle?
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 Hle?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro Hle is 1984 with a 73.0% pass rate across 178 tests.