Austin Metro V/plas Auto (1987)
1987 Austin Metro V/plas Auto
CarHunch analysed 915 real MOT records for the 1987 Austin Metro V/plas Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1987 Austin Metro is a survival story rather than a reliable car—only 1.6% of surviving examples pass MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and the median Carhunch score of 50 reflects how few are roadworthy. Dangerous defects are blessedly rare at 0.7%, so when failures do occur they tend to be manageable rather than safety-critical.
At 32,000 miles median, these cars have covered typical mileage for their age, yet they still struggle to pass inspection; the combination of 0.04 failures and 0.1 advisories per vehicle masks how worn-out the survivor population genuinely is. If you're considering one, budget for immediate remedial work before purchase and only proceed if you have a trusted mechanic willing to strip it down—this is a classic car project, not an everyday purchase.
What to check before buying a 1987 Austin Metro V/plas Auto
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 V/plas Auto
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Austin Metro V/plas Auto 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 Metro V/plas Auto vehicles fall between 22,391 and 51,967 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Metro V/plas Auto?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.