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Austin Metro Mosaic Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Metro Mosaic car check

Is the Austin Metro Mosaic reliable? We analysed 683 real MOT tests across 150 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 683 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
64.9%
Typical Mileage
48,024mi
Annual Mileage
1,363mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Austin Metro Mosaic is below 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 Mosaic.

Austin Metro Mosaic Number Plates

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

Austin Metro Mosaic MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

62.5%
1990
65.3%
1989

Austin Metro Mosaic Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 61
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 58
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 42
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 40
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 34
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 30
fog lamp not working 26
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 26
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 21
Stop lamp not working 20

Austin Metro Mosaic Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
585 mi/yr
Typical
1,363 mi/yr
Average
2,471 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,900 mi/yr

Austin Metro Mosaic MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1990 104 62.5% 40,570 53,822 65,258
1989 579 65.3% 34,968 47,246 65,154

How Long Does a Austin Metro Mosaic Last?

Based on 150 Austin Metro Mosaic vehicles on UK roads.

Average
18.7 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Austin Metro Mosaic Mileage Distribution

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

Median
48,024 mi
75th Percentile
65,258 mi
95th Percentile
95,148 mi
Max Recorded
642,790 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro Mosaic

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

Best year
1989

65.3% MOT pass rate from 579 tests

Year to avoid
1990

62.5% MOT pass rate from 104 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro Mosaic is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.3% across 579 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.5% — 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 Mosaic Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro Mosaic THIS CAR 64.9% 683 48,024 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
Citroen Berlingo Flair Xtr P-tech Ss A 85.1% 558 18,854 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 Mosaic outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro Mosaic?

The Austin Metro Mosaic has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.9% across 683 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro Mosaic are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (61 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (58), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (42). 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 Mosaic owner drives around 1,363 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 Mosaic 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 Mosaic — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro Mosaic reliable?
Based on 683 MOT tests, the Austin Metro Mosaic has a 64.9% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro Mosaic?
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 Mosaic do per year?
The typical Austin Metro Mosaic does around 1,363 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro Mosaic last?
Most Austin Metro Mosaic models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 150 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro Mosaic?
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 Mosaic?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro Mosaic is 1989 with a 65.3% pass rate across 579 tests.