Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1996 Metrocab Manual?

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 1996 Metrocab Manual?

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 1996 Metrocab Manual?

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 1996 Metrocab Manual?

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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Metrocab Manual (1996)

287 real MOT outcomes analysed • 34.2% first-time pass rate

1996 Metrocab Manual

CarHunch analysed 287 real MOT records for the 1996 Metrocab Manual. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 45.8% below UK average

34.2%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

240,214

typical mileage

149,280–315,957 middle half

12.5%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

1.15

avg MOT failures per car

over 3.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1996 Metrocab Manual

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 Metrocab Manual

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 →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	285	34.4%	1.16
Petrol (1%)	2	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 Metrocab Manual 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.

149,280

low mileage

240,214

typical

315,957

high mileage

Half of all 1996 Metrocab Manual vehicles fall between 149,280 and 315,957 miles.

MOT History Averages

3.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.15

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1996 Metrocab Manual

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

73.3%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
38.6%

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine
28.8%

Oil leak
24.9%

Service brake: efficiency below requirements
16.9%

Fuel pipe/s corroded
16.7%

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
16.1%

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort
15.3%

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Metrocab Manual?

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

Other model years — Metrocab Manual:

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999