Rover Metro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rover Metro car check
Is the Rover Metro reliable? We analysed 277,779 real MOT tests across 68,023 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rover Metro? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rover Metro is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, subframe mounting 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 Rover Metro.
Rover Metro Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rover Metro. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rover Metro MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rover Metro to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rover Metro Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rover Metro fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rover Metro Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rover Metro owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rover Metro MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rover Metro year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 823 | 67.9% | 27,943 | 39,006 | 53,422 |
| 1997 | 3,688 | 65.5% | 34,167 | 46,384 | 60,789 |
| 1996 | 4,563 | 63.2% | 37,280 | 49,315 | 64,766 |
| 1995 | 10,621 | 62.7% | 39,882 | 53,774 | 69,144 |
| 1994 | 96,009 | 62.5% | 39,810 | 54,753 | 71,532 |
| 1993 | 61,634 | 62.3% | 38,983 | 54,243 | 71,537 |
| 1992 | 37,937 | 62.8% | 36,897 | 51,343 | 68,284 |
| 1991 | 30,431 | 63.4% | 37,244 | 52,438 | 70,328 |
| 1990 | 22,382 | 63.6% | 35,904 | 50,078 | 68,398 |
| 1989 | 5,649 | 65.3% | 37,397 | 51,572 | 67,293 |
| 1988 | 985 | 65.7% | 30,401 | 42,500 | 65,054 |
| 1987 | 366 | 72.4% | 24,079 | 32,833 | 48,212 |
| 1986 | 212 | 76.9% | 17,248 | 36,525 | 40,947 |
| 1985 | 195 | 71.3% | 29,786 | 44,978 | 52,652 |
| 1984 | 408 | 70.6% | 24,994 | 38,903 | 62,436 |
| 1983 | 814 | 66.2% | 31,701 | 48,399 | 76,098 |
| 1982 | 492 | 64.2% | 27,648 | 38,345 | 54,506 |
| 1981 | 327 | 69.1% | 29,840 | 42,988 | 61,155 |
| 1980 | 64 | 65.6% | 44,932 | 76,443 | 144,058 |
How Long Does a Rover Metro Last?
Based on 68,023 Rover Metro vehicles on UK roads.
Rover Metro Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rover 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 Rover Metro
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.9% MOT pass rate from 212 tests
62.3% MOT pass rate from 61,634 tests
The best year to buy a used Rover Metro is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.9% across 212 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rover Metro Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover Metro THIS CAR | 62.9% | 277,779 | 53,046 mi | 37 yrs |
| Rover 25 | 72.1% | 1,784,341 | 53,712 mi | 26 yrs |
| Rover 75 | 70.7% | 1,365,354 | 77,595 mi | 27 yrs |
| Rover 214 | 67.6% | 1,033,973 | 75,438 mi | 36 yrs |
| Jaguar E-pace | 88.6% | 129,780 | 35,429 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Rover 25 (72.1% pass rate) and the Rover 75 (70.7% pass rate), the Rover Metro trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rover 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 Rover MetroShould you buy a used Rover Metro?
The Rover Metro has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.9% across 277,779 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Rover Metro are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (34,808 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (33,671), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (24,712). 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 Rover Metro owner drives around 2,089 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 Rover Metro models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.