Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Austin Metro?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1989 Austin Metro?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1989 Austin Metro?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Austin Metro?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Austin Metro (1989)

1,315 real MOT outcomes analysed • 3.2% first-time pass rate

1989 Austin Metro

CarHunch analysed 1,315 real MOT records for the 1989 Austin Metro. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 76.8% below UK average

3.2%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

61,148

typical mileage

48,441–77,768 middle half

0.6%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.07

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Austin Metro

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

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

Inspection

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%)	1,311	3.2%	0.07
Diesel (0%)	4	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 Austin Metro 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.

48,441

low mileage

61,148

typical

77,768

high mileage

Half of all 1989 Austin Metro vehicles fall between 48,441 and 77,768 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.07

Avg failures per vehicle

0.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Austin Metro

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

33.3%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
18.6%

Oil leak
16.9%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
15.3%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
15.1%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
11.9%

Service brake: efficiency below requirements
11.7%

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
11.2%

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Austin Metro?

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

Other model years — Austin Metro:

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990