Austin Maestro L (1987)
1987 Austin Maestro L
CarHunch analysed 16,647 real MOT records for the 1987 Austin Maestro L. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Austin Maestro L passes its MOT just 60% of the time on first attempt—well below the UK average of 80%—suggesting these nearly 40-year-old cars are showing their age across the board. Dangerous defects are rare at 0.1%, so safety-critical failures aren't the main concern here.
At nearly 70,000 miles on average, these Maestros have genuinely high mileage for their age, yet they're averaging only 0.01 failures per vehicle, which tells you that when they do fail, it's usually minor stuff rather than systemic rot. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone familiar with 1980s British Leyland cars—the low failure count masks the reality that these vehicles need careful vetting before purchase, not just an MOT pass.
What to check before buying a 1987 Austin Maestro L
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 L
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 16,629 | 0.6% | 0.01 |
| Diesel (0%) | 17 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 75% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Austin Maestro L 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 L vehicles fall between 44,911 and 88,823 miles.
1987 Austin Maestro L — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019, 91% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Maestro L?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.