CarVerify

Metrocab Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Metrocab Auto car check

Is the Metrocab Auto reliable? We analysed 9,025 real MOT tests across 1,389 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Metrocab Auto? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 9,025 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.9%
Typical Mileage
240,049mi
Annual Mileage
15,491mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Metrocab Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Metrocab Auto.

Metrocab Auto Number Plates

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

Metrocab Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

67.7%
2000
66.9%
1999
65.9%
1998
65.2%
1997
65.2%
1996
64.2%
1995
66.7%
1994
70.5%
1993
64.8%
1992
59%
1991

Metrocab Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 779
Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering 448
parking brake recording little or no effort 392
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine 354
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 329
Headlamp aim too low 292
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 272
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 269
Stop lamp not working 256
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 244

Metrocab Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
7,056 mi/yr
Typical
15,491 mi/yr
Average
16,021 mi/yr
Heavy usage
22,441 mi/yr

Metrocab Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 742 67.7% 223,901 288,958 337,322
1999 1,890 66.9% 181,136 239,071 301,748
1998 2,240 65.9% 160,499 231,600 298,289
1997 1,370 65.2% 195,811 264,273 322,375
1996 1,378 65.2% 182,983 246,562 293,966
1995 606 64.2% 132,204 225,899 294,846
1994 267 66.7% 92,234 209,650 274,582
1993 200 70.5% 99,543 158,192 229,759
1992 193 64.8% 120,006 164,530 230,000
1991 122 59.0% 82,371 119,870 176,242

How Long Does a Metrocab Auto Last?

Based on 1,389 Metrocab Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.5 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Metrocab Auto Mileage Distribution

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

Median
240,049 mi
75th Percentile
302,948 mi
95th Percentile
402,998 mi
Max Recorded
818,303 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Metrocab Auto

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

Best year
1993

70.5% MOT pass rate from 200 tests

Year to avoid
1991

59.0% MOT pass rate from 122 tests

The best year to buy a used Metrocab Auto is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.5% across 200 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Metrocab Auto Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Metrocab Auto THIS CAR 65.9% 9,025 240,049 mi 35 yrs
Metrocab Manual 63.4% 6,749 257,510 mi 34 yrs
Metrocab Metrocab Auto 69.4% 5,980 313,577 mi 26 yrs
Metrocab Metrocab 67.6% 2,068 311,398 mi 26 yrs
Triumph Speed Twin 91.9% 3,044 5,800 mi 69 yrs

Compared to the Metrocab Manual (63.4% pass rate) and the Metrocab Metrocab Auto (69.4% pass rate), the Metrocab Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

Found a Metrocab Auto 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 Metrocab Auto

Should you buy a used Metrocab Auto?

The Metrocab Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.9% across 9,025 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Metrocab Auto are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (779 recorded failures), axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering (448), and parking brake recording little or no effort (392). 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 Metrocab Auto owner drives around 15,491 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 Metrocab Auto models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.

Metrocab Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Metrocab Auto reliable?
Based on 9,025 MOT tests, the Metrocab Auto has a 65.9% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Metrocab Auto?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering, and parking brake recording little or no effort. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Metrocab Auto do per year?
The typical Metrocab Auto does around 15,491 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Metrocab Auto last?
Most Metrocab Auto models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 1,389 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Metrocab Auto?
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 Metrocab Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Metrocab Auto is 1993 with a 70.5% pass rate across 200 tests.