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E181 MCE

1988 Austin Metro V/plas

Grey Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Sep 2026
Tests8 (5 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

39,990 mi
Last recorded39,990 miles
Recorded on29 Sep 2025
Typical for 1988 Austin Metro V/plas41,085 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Austin
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE181 MCE
MakeAustin
ModelMetro V/plas
Year1988
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,275cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

5 pass 3 fail
Pass 29 Sep 2025 39,990 miles

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Nearside and offside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Nearside and offside (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 13 Jul 2024 39,231 miles
Pass 19 Jun 2023 39,210 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 15 Jun 2020 39,189 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users coolant leaking excessively (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension pipe damaged or deteriorated and function is seriously affected excessively corroded (5.3.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension pipe damaged or deteriorated and function is seriously affected excessively corroded (5.3.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear suspension low

Offside Rear suspension low

Fail 19 Nov 2007 39,146 miles

Nearside Inner Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Inner Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Exhaust emits black smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.D.3)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.D.3)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

both registration plates starting to deteriorate

fuel hoses perished

slight play in steering rack

Pass 20 Nov 2006 37,512 miles
Fail 20 Nov 2006 37,512 miles

Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.D.3)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Inner Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

fuel tank bolt loose

offside rear tyre perished

slight play insteering rack

Pass 3 Dec 2005 36,198 miles

Fluid suspension unit interconnecting pipe corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.D.3)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

emissions test only just passed

fuel tank fixing bolt loose

offside rear brake slightly lagging

offside rear inner wing heavily corroded outside prescribed areas

How Reliable is the Austin Metro V/plas?

Based on 1,272 MOT tests across 227 vehicles.

67.8%
Pass Rate
558
Miles/Year
44
Year Lifespan
227
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 133
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 81
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 70
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 54
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 51
Full Austin Metro V/plas reliability report

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E181 MCE is a 1988 Austin Metro V/plas in Grey with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 8 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 1988 Austin Metro V/plas models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.5% with a typical mileage of 41,085 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Austin Metro V/plas fails its MOT is subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 133 recorded failures. If you're considering buying E181 MCE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Austin Metro V/plas typically stays on UK roads for around 44 years. At 38 years old, this Austin Metro V/plas is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of E181 MCE?

You can check the full history of E181 MCE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E181 MCE registered?

E181 MCE is a 1988 Austin Metro V/plas, first registered on 7 January 1988.

Is E181 MCE safe to buy?

The MOT history for E181 MCE shows 8 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E181 MCE have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on E181 MCE. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.