MG Metro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Metro car check
Is the MG Metro reliable? We analysed 4,136 real MOT tests across 697 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Metro? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Metro 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 MG Metro.
MG Metro Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Metro. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Metro MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Metro to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Metro Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Metro fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Metro Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Metro owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Metro MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Metro year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 60 | 73.3% | 42,195 | 52,636 | 67,514 |
| 1989 | 1,366 | 69.0% | 39,645 | 55,904 | 75,119 |
| 1988 | 914 | 68.6% | 37,578 | 51,510 | 65,087 |
| 1987 | 319 | 66.5% | 36,728 | 54,003 | 69,212 |
| 1986 | 345 | 67.8% | 25,497 | 53,318 | 88,617 |
| 1985 | 290 | 77.2% | 30,940 | 40,465 | 70,554 |
| 1984 | 188 | 70.2% | 22,964 | 28,302 | 74,578 |
| 1983 | 389 | 69.9% | 40,242 | 64,590 | 84,908 |
| 1982 | 223 | 71.7% | 29,712 | 63,156 | 90,250 |
How Long Does a MG Metro Last?
Based on 697 MG Metro vehicles on UK roads.
MG Metro Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Metro 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 MG Metro
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.2% MOT pass rate from 290 tests
66.5% MOT pass rate from 319 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Metro is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.2% across 290 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Metro Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Metro THIS CAR | 69.6% | 4,136 | 53,414 mi | 44 yrs |
| MG Zr | 69.8% | 651,705 | 57,257 mi | 25 yrs |
| MG Mgf | 66.7% | 546,238 | 62,469 mi | 31 yrs |
| MG Tf | 72.8% | 475,348 | 45,249 mi | 24 yrs |
| Audi A4 TDI | 74% | 1,750 | 163,814 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Metro sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Metro 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 MG MetroShould you buy a used MG Metro?
The MG Metro has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.6% across 4,136 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the MG Metro are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (375 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (199), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (180). 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 MG Metro owner drives around 651 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 MG Metro 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.