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Austin Metro L Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Metro L Auto car check

Is the Austin Metro L Auto reliable? We analysed 823 real MOT tests across 174 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 823 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
69.4%
Typical Mileage
41,218mi
Annual Mileage
805mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Austin Metro L Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive, subframe 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 L Auto.

Austin Metro L Auto Number Plates

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

Austin Metro L Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

70.1%
1989

Austin Metro L Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 48
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 46
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 36
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 34
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 34
fog lamp not working 33
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 33
brake recording little or no effort 27
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 25
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 25

Austin Metro L Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
242 mi/yr
Typical
805 mi/yr
Average
1,595 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,959 mi/yr

Austin Metro L Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1989 786 70.1% 29,727 41,354 56,213

How Long Does a Austin Metro L Auto Last?

Based on 174 Austin Metro L Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.4 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Austin Metro L Auto Mileage Distribution

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

Median
41,218 mi
75th Percentile
55,840 mi
95th Percentile
75,050 mi
Max Recorded
622,114 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro L Auto

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

Best year
1989

70.1% MOT pass rate from 786 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro L Auto is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.1% across 786 tests.

How Does the Austin Metro L 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 L Auto THIS CAR 69.4% 823 41,218 mi 37 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
Mercedes-benz SLK250 AMG Sport CDI Blue-cy A 89.8% 1,473 53,165 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 L Auto outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro L Auto?

The Austin Metro L Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.4% across 823 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro L Auto are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (48 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (46), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (36). 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 L Auto owner drives around 805 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 L Auto models stay on UK roads for around 37 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 L Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro L Auto reliable?
Based on 823 MOT tests, the Austin Metro L Auto has a 69.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro L Auto?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive, subframe 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 L Auto do per year?
The typical Austin Metro L Auto does around 805 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro L Auto last?
Most Austin Metro L Auto models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 174 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro L 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 L Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro L Auto is 1989 with a 70.1% pass rate across 786 tests.