Austin Montego Sl (1988)
1988 Austin Montego Sl
CarHunch analysed 322 real MOT records for the 1988 Austin Montego Sl. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1988 Austin Montego SL is a serious reliability concern: just 30% pass the MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and 0.3% of examples have recorded dangerous defects. With a median mileage of 125,042 miles for a vehicle now 36 years old, these cars are well-used, and the zero average failures and advisories per vehicle suggests most are simply too worn out to return for retesting rather than genuinely reliable.
Surviving examples like these are largely curiosities or restoration projects rather than practical daily drivers—the 50-point CarHunch score reflects this reality. If you're considering one, treat it as a classic car requiring full mechanical inspection and budget for comprehensive work before it's roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 1988 Austin Montego Sl
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 Montego Sl
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 (99%) | 319 | 0.3% | 0 |
| Diesel (1%) | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Austin Montego Sl 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 1988 Austin Montego Sl vehicles fall between 81,929 and 125,042 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Austin Montego Sl?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.