Austin Metro City 310 (1986)
1986 Austin Metro City 310
CarHunch analysed 2,956 real MOT records for the 1986 Austin Metro City 310. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1986 Austin Metro City 310 is fundamentally unreliable by modern standards, with a first-time pass rate of just 10% against the UK average of 80%—meaning 9 in 10 fail their MOT. At a median mileage of 50,368 miles for a car nearly 40 years old, these survivors are genuinely low-mileage examples, yet the data suggests systemic issues that go beyond wear and tear rather than specific problem areas.
The absence of recorded failures and advisories in this dataset is puzzling given the dire pass rate, pointing to inconsistent recording or a very small pool of vehicles that somehow passed—treat this cohort as essentially unviable for regular use. If you're considering one, it should be treated as a restoration or collectors' project rather than daily transport, and budget for comprehensive professional inspection before committing any money.
What to check before buying a 1986 Austin Metro City 310
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 Metro City 310
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%) | 2,952 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 4 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Austin Metro City 310 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 1986 Austin Metro City 310 vehicles fall between 50,368 and 72,533 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Metro City 310?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.