Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Mcw Metrocab?

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 1988 Mcw Metrocab?

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 1988 Mcw Metrocab?

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 1988 Mcw Metrocab?

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.

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Mcw Metrocab (1988)

760 real MOT outcomes analysed • 6% first-time pass rate

1988 Mcw Metrocab

CarHunch analysed 760 real MOT records for the 1988 Mcw Metrocab. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 74% below UK average

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

163,525

typical mileage

81,077–238,836 middle half

0.9%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.08

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Mcw Metrocab

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 Mcw Metrocab

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
Diesel (98%)	748	6.1%	0.08
Petrol (1%)	9	0%	0
LPG (0%)	3	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Mcw Metrocab 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.

81,077

low mileage

163,525

typical

238,836

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Mcw Metrocab vehicles fall between 81,077 and 238,836 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.08

Avg failures per vehicle

0.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Mcw Metrocab

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

32.7%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
25%

Brakes imbalanced across an axle
15.4%

Fuel pipe/s corroded
13.5%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
13.5%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
11.5%

Offside Rear fog lamp not working
11.5%

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort
11.5%

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Mcw Metrocab?

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

Other model years — Mcw Metrocab:

1987 1989