Austin Metro V/plas (1982)

3,966 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.4% first-time pass rate

1982 Austin Metro V/plas

CarHunch analysed 3,966 real MOT records for the 1982 Austin Metro V/plas. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1982 Austin Metro V/Plas passes its MOT just 40% of the time—half the UK average of 80%—which signals serious structural or mechanical deterioration in a car now over 40 years old. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so when these cars fail, it's typically wear-and-tear rather than safety-critical issues.

With a median mileage of just 36,719 miles, these survivors are low-mileage examples that have spent most of their lives off the road, yet still struggle MOT compliance; this suggests rust, seized components, and long-term storage issues are the real enemies rather than heavy use. Before buying one, expect to budget for recommissioning work—suspension, brakes, and fuel system are common problem areas on dormant classics—and plan a thorough pre-purchase inspection with a specialist in British Leyland vehicles.

Below average reliability 79.6% below UK average
0.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
36,719
typical mileage
31,023–65,412 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.01
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Austin Metro V/plas

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

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 3,965 0.4% 0.01
Other (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Austin Metro V/plas 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.

31,023
low mileage
36,719
typical
65,412
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Austin Metro V/plas vehicles fall between 31,023 and 65,412 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.01
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Austin Metro V/plas?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Austin Metro V/plas:

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988