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MG Metro Turbo Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free MG Metro Turbo car check

Is the MG Metro Turbo reliable? We analysed 1,009 real MOT tests across 161 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,009 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.7%
Typical Mileage
62,439mi
Annual Mileage
318mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
43yrs

The MG Metro Turbo is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Metro Turbo.

MG Metro Turbo Number Plates

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

MG Metro Turbo MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

73.7%
1989
70.8%
1988
76%
1986
79.7%
1985
72.2%
1984
71.7%
1983

MG Metro Turbo Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 64
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 54
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 40
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 34
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 32
brake recording little or no effort 31
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 23
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 22
suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint 21
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 19

MG Metro Turbo Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
67 mi/yr
Typical
318 mi/yr
Average
991 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,029 mi/yr

MG Metro Turbo MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1989 407 73.7% 46,482 60,457 72,591
1988 178 70.8% 48,585 70,907 78,585
1986 96 76.0% 35,204 44,034 74,686
1985 79 79.7% 61,496 64,405 89,365
1984 72 72.2% 39,414 50,350 60,822
1983 106 71.7% 42,170 67,862 83,301

How Long Does a MG Metro Turbo Last?

Based on 161 MG Metro Turbo vehicles on UK roads.

Average
27.4 years
Median
26.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
43 years

MG Metro Turbo Mileage Distribution

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

Median
62,439 mi
75th Percentile
76,149 mi
95th Percentile
102,703 mi
Max Recorded
610,214 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used MG Metro Turbo

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

Best year
1985

79.7% MOT pass rate from 79 tests

Year to avoid
1988

70.8% MOT pass rate from 178 tests

The best year to buy a used MG Metro Turbo is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.7% across 79 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.8% — 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 Turbo Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
MG Metro Turbo THIS CAR 72.7% 1,009 62,439 mi 43 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
Wuyang Wy 125-16C 71.3% 630 6,316 mi 19 yrs

Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Metro Turbo outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used MG Metro Turbo?

The MG Metro Turbo has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.7% across 1,009 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the MG Metro Turbo are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (64 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (54), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (40). 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 Turbo owner drives around 318 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 Turbo models stay on UK roads for around 43 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.

MG Metro Turbo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MG Metro Turbo reliable?
Based on 1,009 MOT tests, the MG Metro Turbo has a 72.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a MG Metro Turbo?
The most common MOT failures are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a MG Metro Turbo do per year?
The typical MG Metro Turbo does around 318 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a MG Metro Turbo last?
Most MG Metro Turbo models stay on UK roads for around 43 years based on our analysis of 161 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a MG Metro Turbo?
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 MG Metro Turbo?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used MG Metro Turbo is 1985 with a 79.7% pass rate across 79 tests.