Austin Metro City (1982)
1982 Austin Metro City
CarHunch analysed 22,677 real MOT records for the 1982 Austin Metro City. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1982 Austin Metro City has a 10% first-time pass rate—catastrophically below the UK average of 80%—which means nearly 9 in 10 fail their MOT. With zero dangerous defects recorded across 22,677 vehicles, these aren't safety-critical failures, but the sheer volume of test rejections signals systematic issues with aging components that accumulate over four decades.
The median mileage of 43,157 is remarkably low for a 42-year-old car, suggesting most surviving examples are cherished low-use classics rather than daily drivers, yet they still struggle to pass. If you're seriously considering one, budget for multiple visits to get it through inspection, and have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist who knows how to coax these old Metros through their test cycle.
What to check before buying a 1982 Austin Metro City
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
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%) | 22,676 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Austin Metro City 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 1982 Austin Metro City vehicles fall between 32,779 and 64,439 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Metro City?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.