Rover Metro (1988)
1988 Rover Metro
CarHunch analysed 220 real MOT records for the 1988 Rover Metro. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Rover Metro has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 59.5%, well below the UK average of 80%, which is a genuine reliability concern for a buyer. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively rare at 14.1%, so you're not looking at safety-critical failures—but these cars do need more remedial work than most.
At nearly 53,000 miles on average, these Metros show typical mileage for their age, yet they're still accumulating an average of 1.52 failures and 3.2 advisories per test, suggesting mechanical wear is catching up fast. If you're considering one, budget for regular repair visits and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the basics: brakes, suspension, and rust.
What to check before buying a 1988 Rover 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 Rover Metro
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Rover 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 Rover Metro vehicles fall between 34,491 and 69,073 miles.
1988 Rover Metro — Still on the Road
11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% 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 Rover Metro
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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32.5%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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21.3%
Oil leak
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20.3%
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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16.8%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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13.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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12.6%
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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12.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.6%
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover Metro?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.