Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel (1987)
1987 Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel
CarHunch analysed 143 real MOT records for the 1987 Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Austin Maestro 700L diesel has a first-time pass rate of 70%, which sits 10 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these aging diesels face more hurdles at MOT time. The good news is that no dangerous defects were recorded across the 143 vehicles analysed, and average failures and advisories both sit at zero—indicating the cars that do pass are in genuinely sound mechanical condition.
At 120,837 miles median mileage for a 37-year-old vehicle, these Maestros have lived relatively hard lives, yet the zero-failure statistic suggests survivors tend to be well-maintained examples. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist familiar with 1980s Austins, and factor in that you'll need to find a good one first—the 70% pass rate means plenty don't make the grade.
What to check before buying a 1987 Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (98%) | 140 | 0.7% | 0 |
| Petrol (2%) | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1987 Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel vehicles fall between 120,837 and 120,837 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Maestro 700 L Diesel?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.