MG Metro (1986)
1986 MG Metro
CarHunch analysed 10,644 real MOT records for the 1986 MG Metro. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 MG Metro has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 0.3%, devastatingly far below the UK average of 80%—meaning nearly every example fails its test. With only 0.1% of vehicles ever recording a dangerous defect, the failures aren't about safety-critical issues, but rather the sheer age and condition of these 38-year-old cars, which simply can't meet modern emissions and wear standards.
The median mileage of 57,081 is actually quite low for a vehicle this old, suggesting many have been cherished and stored carefully rather than driven hard, yet they still can't pass. These cars average virtually zero failures and advisories per test, which tells you that when they do fail, it's usually multiple minor issues stacking up rather than one catastrophic problem—so if you're buying one, budget for a full recommissioning rather than expecting a single repair to make it MOT-ready.
What to check before buying a 1986 MG 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 MG Metro
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 (100%) | 10,641 | 0.3% | 0.01 |
| Diesel (0%) | 3 | 16.7% | 0.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 MG 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.
Half of all 1986 MG Metro vehicles fall between 30,539 and 82,084 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 MG Metro
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
32.5%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
-
18.3%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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16.3%
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
15.9%
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
15.6%
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive
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15.2%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
-
14.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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14.2%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific MG Metro?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.