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Austin Metro V/plas Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Metro V/plas Auto car check

Is the Austin Metro V/plas Auto reliable? We analysed 876 real MOT tests across 157 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 876 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.6%
Typical Mileage
36,259mi
Annual Mileage
576mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
44yrs

The Austin Metro V/plas Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Metro V/plas Auto.

Specifications

Austin Metro V/plas Auto — specs & performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

A snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Austin Metro V/plas Auto — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

1275cc
Engine
60bhp
Power

Engine & Performance

Engine size
1275cc
Power
60 BHP
Power (kW)
45 kW
Fuel type
Petrol

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Car
Common colour
Gold
Wheel plan
2 Axle Rigid Body

Fuel Economy

Fuel-economy data not held for this model.

Tax & Emissions

Emission class
Not Available
Sources: DVLA vehicle register. Specifications reflect a representative Austin Metro V/plas Auto record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

Austin Metro V/plas Auto Number Plates

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

Browse all 157 Austin Metro V/plas Auto registrations

Austin Metro V/plas Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Austin Metro V/plas Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

69.8%
1988
65.8%
1987
66.7%
1986
66.7%
1985
66.3%
1984
71.4%
1983
72.6%
1982

Austin Metro V/plas Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 61
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 42
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 42
brake recording little or no effort 30
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 28
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 27
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 27
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 24
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 23
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 21

Austin Metro V/plas Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
191 mi/yr
Typical
576 mi/yr
Average
1,421 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,616 mi/yr

Austin Metro V/plas Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Metro V/plas Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1988 275 69.8% 24,217 37,308 53,138
1987 114 65.8% 22,867 28,327 41,064
1986 78 66.7% 27,646 37,366 57,360
1985 120 66.7% 21,269 30,114 35,567
1984 86 66.3% 12,035 36,501 47,556
1983 126 71.4% 33,352 36,849 44,572
1982 73 72.6% 46,398 65,806 73,512

How Long Does a Austin Metro V/plas Auto Last?

Based on 157 Austin Metro V/plas Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.5 years
Median
21.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
44 years

Austin Metro V/plas Auto Mileage Distribution

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

Median
36,259 mi
75th Percentile
51,307 mi
95th Percentile
77,590 mi
Max Recorded
274,405 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Metro V/plas Auto

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

Best year
1982

72.6% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

Year to avoid
1987

65.8% MOT pass rate from 114 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Metro V/plas Auto is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.6% across 73 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Austin Metro V/plas Auto Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Metro V/plas Auto THIS CAR 68.6% 876 36,259 mi 44 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
Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 90.2% 1,177 11,056 mi 14 yrs

Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin Metro V/plas Auto outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Metro V/plas Auto?

The Austin Metro V/plas Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.6% across 876 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Austin Metro V/plas Auto are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (61 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (42), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (42). 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 Metro V/plas Auto owner drives around 576 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 Metro V/plas Auto 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.

Austin Metro V/plas Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Metro V/plas Auto reliable?
Based on 876 MOT tests, the Austin Metro V/plas Auto has a 68.6% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Austin Metro V/plas Auto?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin Metro V/plas Auto do per year?
The typical Austin Metro V/plas Auto does around 576 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Metro V/plas Auto last?
Most Austin Metro V/plas Auto models stay on UK roads for around 44 years based on our analysis of 157 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Metro V/plas 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 Austin Metro V/plas Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Metro V/plas Auto is 1982 with a 72.6% pass rate across 73 tests.