MG Metro (1988)
1988 MG Metro
CarHunch analysed 11,470 real MOT records for the 1988 MG Metro. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 MG Metro is exceptionally reliable, with a 90% first-time pass rate that substantially beats the UK average of 80%—these cars are built to last and maintained well by their owners. However, one in five have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a concern worth investigating on any used example you're considering.
These Metros are running at around 56,800 miles median, which is modest for their age, and they're generating almost no failures (0.03 per vehicle) and minimal advisories (0.1 per vehicle), suggesting the survivors in the MOT pool are genuinely solid. Before you commit, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, suspension, and rust—the dangerous defect flag suggests those are the weak points to verify.
What to check before buying a 1988 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%) | 11,467 | 0.9% | 0.03 |
| Diesel (0%) | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 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 1988 MG Metro vehicles fall between 44,855 and 71,369 miles.
1988 MG Metro — Still on the Road
15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 63% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 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
-
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
-
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 1988. 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.