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Austin Metro Mayfair Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Austin Metro Mayfair reliable? We analysed 800 real MOT tests across 179 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 800 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
66.6%
Typical Mileage
36,823mi
Annual Mileage
509mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

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

Austin Metro Mayfair Number Plates

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

Austin Metro Mayfair MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

63.6%
1988
70.6%
1987
65.7%
1986

Austin Metro Mayfair Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 130
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 60
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 59
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 45
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 43
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 37
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 33
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 29
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 27
Stop lamp not working 25

Austin Metro Mayfair Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
167 mi/yr
Typical
509 mi/yr
Average
1,408 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,450 mi/yr

Austin Metro Mayfair MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1988 291 63.6% 33,242 42,532 59,732
1987 255 70.6% 22,100 30,779 49,398
1986 248 65.7% 25,074 33,908 56,053

How Long Does a Austin Metro Mayfair Last?

Based on 179 Austin Metro Mayfair vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.9 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Austin Metro Mayfair Mileage Distribution

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

Median
36,823 mi
75th Percentile
54,621 mi
95th Percentile
79,709 mi
Max Recorded
668,458 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro Mayfair

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

Best year
1987

70.6% MOT pass rate from 255 tests

Year to avoid
1988

63.6% MOT pass rate from 291 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro Mayfair is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.6% across 255 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.6% — 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 Mayfair Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro Mayfair THIS CAR 66.6% 800 36,823 mi 40 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
Cadillac Deville 80.1% 859 63,484 mi 37 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 Mayfair outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro Mayfair?

The Austin Metro Mayfair has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.6% across 800 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro Mayfair are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (130 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (60), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (59). 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 Mayfair owner drives around 509 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 Mayfair models stay on UK roads for around 40 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 Mayfair — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro Mayfair reliable?
Based on 800 MOT tests, the Austin Metro Mayfair has a 66.6% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro Mayfair?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin Metro Mayfair do per year?
The typical Austin Metro Mayfair does around 509 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro Mayfair last?
Most Austin Metro Mayfair models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 179 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro Mayfair?
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 Mayfair?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro Mayfair is 1987 with a 70.6% pass rate across 255 tests.