Rover Metro (1991)
1991 Rover Metro
CarHunch analysed 7,933 real MOT records for the 1991 Rover Metro. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Rover Metro is struggling on the MOT bench: only 59.4% pass on first attempt, compared to the 80% UK average, which means four in ten examples are failing. With just 10.2% ever recorded as having a dangerous defect, safety concerns are relatively modest, but the sheer failure rate signals that these cars need serious mechanical work to get through testing.
At nearly 64,000 miles on average, these Metros carry typical mileage for their age, yet they're racking up 1.4 failures and 2.4 advisories per test on average—well above what you'd expect from a properly maintained car. If you're considering one, budget for immediate and ongoing repairs, treat the first MOT as a diagnostic exercise rather than a surprise, and have a trusted mechanic inspect the suspension, brakes, and rust before committing.
What to check before buying a 1991 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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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 7,920 | 59.4% | 1.4 |
| Diesel (0%) | 12 | 49.2% | 1 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 0% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 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 1991 Rover Metro vehicles fall between 44,058 and 76,975 miles.
1991 Rover Metro — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 91 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (29% of peak).
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 — 1991 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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35.6%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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17.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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15.2%
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13.6%
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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12.7%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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12.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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10.9%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover Metro?
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