At a Glance
The Austin Metro has 23 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Subframe mounting corroded being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 23K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Austin Metro — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Austin Metro MOT Pass Rate
Across 23K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Austin Metro (1980–1990) has a fail rate of 45.4%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Austin Metro Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Subframe mounting corroded
3,566
occurrences
Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)
2,325
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
2,079
occurrences
Suspension component mounting corroded
2,001
occurrences
Body corrosion or damage
1,625
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Austin Metro owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Austin Metro owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Austin Metro, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
279 distinct problems · 45,117 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Austin Metro problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Austin Metro Metro (1980–1990), we have identified 23 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Subframe mounting corroded". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Austin Metro?
This generation has 23K MOT tests on record with a 45.4% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Austin Metro?
There are 130 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Metro (1980–1990), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Austin Metro?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Austin Metro owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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