Austin Montego L Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin Montego L car check
Is the Austin Montego L reliable? We analysed 1,348 real MOT tests across 318 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin Montego L? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin Montego L is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Montego L.
Austin Montego L Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin Montego L. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin Montego L MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin Montego L to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin Montego L Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin Montego L fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin Montego L Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin Montego L owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin Montego L MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Montego L year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 364 | 65.7% | 54,603 | 79,199 | 100,166 |
| 1988 | 334 | 68.3% | 64,024 | 84,720 | 110,817 |
| 1987 | 302 | 68.2% | 51,436 | 70,437 | 100,857 |
| 1986 | 159 | 74.2% | 53,171 | 67,302 | 89,064 |
| 1985 | 107 | 71.0% | 41,208 | 53,800 | 66,564 |
| 1984 | 57 | 70.2% | 23,181 | 33,155 | 44,085 |
How Long Does a Austin Montego L Last?
Based on 318 Austin Montego L vehicles on UK roads.
Austin Montego L Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin Montego L MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Montego L
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.2% MOT pass rate from 159 tests
65.7% MOT pass rate from 364 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin Montego L is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.2% across 159 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Austin Montego L Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Montego L THIS CAR | 68.8% | 1,348 | 72,473 mi | 42 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 |
| Rover 2600 | 72.5% | 1,236 | 72,730 mi | 48 yrs |
Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin Montego L outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin Montego L you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Austin Montego LShould you buy a used Austin Montego L?
The Austin Montego L has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.8% across 1,348 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Austin Montego L are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (228 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (108), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (48). 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 Montego L owner drives around 886 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 Montego L models stay on UK roads for around 42 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.