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Austin Metro V/plas Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Metro V/plas car check

Is the Austin Metro V/plas reliable? We analysed 1,272 real MOT tests across 227 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,272 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
67.8%
Typical Mileage
38,459mi
Annual Mileage
558mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
44yrs

The Austin Metro V/plas 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 V/plas.

Specifications

Austin Metro V/plas — specs & performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

A snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Austin Metro V/plas — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

1275cc
Engine
60bhp
Power

Engine & Performance

Engine size
1275cc
Power
60 BHP
Fuel type
Petrol

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Car
Common colour
Grey
Wheel plan
2 Axle Rigid Body

Fuel Economy

Fuel-economy data not held for this model.

Tax & Emissions

Emission class
Not Available
Sources: DVLA vehicle register. Specifications reflect a representative Austin Metro V/plas record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

Austin Metro V/plas Number Plates

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

Austin Metro V/plas MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

65.5%
1988
72.8%
1987
62.7%
1986
62.6%
1985
74.3%
1984
69.6%
1983
71.8%
1982

Austin Metro V/plas Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 133
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 81
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 70
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 54
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 51
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 45
brake recording little or no effort 37
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 34
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 33
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 30

Austin Metro V/plas Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
171 mi/yr
Typical
558 mi/yr
Average
1,433 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,544 mi/yr

Austin Metro V/plas MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1988 406 65.5% 27,393 41,085 61,142
1987 114 72.8% 25,178 32,852 42,310
1986 142 62.7% 28,909 36,283 39,541
1985 131 62.6% 39,990 56,142 67,420
1984 74 74.3% 23,170 44,938 56,204
1983 184 69.6% 19,958 39,299 58,248
1982 177 71.8% 25,928 34,659 49,626

How Long Does a Austin Metro V/plas Last?

Based on 227 Austin Metro V/plas vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.9 years
Median
22.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
44 years

Austin Metro V/plas Mileage Distribution

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

Median
38,459 mi
75th Percentile
57,279 mi
95th Percentile
97,788 mi
Max Recorded
181,246 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro V/plas

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

Best year
1984

74.3% MOT pass rate from 74 tests

Year to avoid
1985

62.6% MOT pass rate from 131 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro V/plas is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.3% across 74 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.6% — 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 V/plas Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro V/plas THIS CAR 67.8% 1,272 38,459 mi 44 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
BMW R 1200 Gs Adventure 97.2% 673 22,622 mi 10 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 V/plas outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro V/plas?

The Austin Metro V/plas has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.8% across 1,272 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro V/plas are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (133 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (81), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (70). 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 V/plas owner drives around 558 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 V/plas models stay on UK roads for around 44 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 V/plas — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro V/plas reliable?
Based on 1,272 MOT tests, the Austin Metro V/plas has a 67.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro V/plas?
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 V/plas do per year?
The typical Austin Metro V/plas does around 558 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro V/plas last?
Most Austin Metro V/plas models stay on UK roads for around 44 years based on our analysis of 227 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro V/plas?
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 V/plas?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro V/plas is 1984 with a 74.3% pass rate across 74 tests.