Austin Metro L (1989)
1989 Austin Metro L
CarHunch analysed 18,451 real MOT records for the 1989 Austin Metro L. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1989 Austin Metro L has a first-time pass rate of just 2.6%, dramatically below the UK average of 80%—this is a car that consistently fails its MOT and should be viewed as deeply unreliable. Mercifully, dangerous defects are rare at 0.4%, so safety isn't the primary concern; instead, these are vehicles plagued by chronic wear and corrosion issues that accumulate over 35 years.
At a median mileage of 53,437, these Metros have been driven relatively sparingly for their age, yet still rack up an average of 0.06 failures and 0.1 advisories per test—a sign that the problems are structural rather than usage-related. If you're considering one, expect to budget for multiple repair visits before and after each MOT, and treat any car showing a cHunch score below 50 as a restoration project rather than daily transport.
What to check before buying a 1989 Austin Metro 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 Metro L
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 18,446 | 2.6% | 0.06 |
| Diesel (0%) | 3 | 38.9% | 0.67 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 66.7% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Austin Metro 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 1989 Austin Metro L vehicles fall between 39,011 and 69,024 miles.
1989 Austin Metro L — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Metro L?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.