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Austin Metro Studio 2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Austin Metro Studio 2 reliable? We analysed 519 real MOT tests across 120 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 519 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.3%
Typical Mileage
46,192mi
Annual Mileage
1,122mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
39yrs

The Austin Metro Studio 2 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Metro Studio 2.

Austin Metro Studio 2 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Austin Metro Studio 2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Austin Metro Studio 2 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Austin Metro Studio 2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

64.8%
1989
67.4%
1988
65.2%
1987

Austin Metro Studio 2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Austin Metro Studio 2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 57
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 32
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 32
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 28
brake recording little or no effort 24
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 24
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 21
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 20
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 20
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 16

Austin Metro Studio 2 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Austin Metro Studio 2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
327 mi/yr
Typical
1,122 mi/yr
Average
2,118 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,419 mi/yr

Austin Metro Studio 2 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Metro Studio 2 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1989 341 64.8% 37,638 49,187 66,167
1988 89 67.4% 27,575 34,421 45,844
1987 89 65.2% 35,507 46,098 60,010

How Long Does a Austin Metro Studio 2 Last?

Based on 120 Austin Metro Studio 2 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.2 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
39 years

Austin Metro Studio 2 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Austin Metro Studio 2 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
46,192 mi
75th Percentile
60,563 mi
95th Percentile
86,589 mi
Max Recorded
299,925 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro Studio 2

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

Best year
1988

67.4% MOT pass rate from 89 tests

Year to avoid
1989

64.8% MOT pass rate from 341 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro Studio 2 is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.4% across 89 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.8% — 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 Studio 2 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro Studio 2 THIS CAR 65.3% 519 46,192 mi 39 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
Lexmoto Zoom II 125 69.9% 329 9,342 mi 16 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 Studio 2 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro Studio 2?

The Austin Metro Studio 2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.3% across 519 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro Studio 2 are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (57 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (32), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (32). 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 Studio 2 owner drives around 1,122 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 Studio 2 models stay on UK roads for around 39 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 Studio 2 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro Studio 2 reliable?
Based on 519 MOT tests, the Austin Metro Studio 2 has a 65.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro Studio 2?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin Metro Studio 2 do per year?
The typical Austin Metro Studio 2 does around 1,122 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro Studio 2 last?
Most Austin Metro Studio 2 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years based on our analysis of 120 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro Studio 2?
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 Studio 2?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro Studio 2 is 1988 with a 67.4% pass rate across 89 tests.