Rover Metro (1996)
1996 Rover Metro
CarHunch analysed 1,023 real MOT records for the 1996 Rover Metro. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1996 Rover Metro is struggling on the MOT bench: a first-time pass rate of 62.7% sits well below the UK average of 80%, meaning you should expect roughly one in three of these cars to fail their test. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 15%, but the average vehicle still racks up 1.64 failures and 3.0 advisories per test, suggesting wear and corrosion are catching up with these 28-year-old cars.
Most surviving examples have covered around 54,000 miles (median), which is reasonable for the age, but the real challenge is that nearly everything will need attention—suspension, exhaust, brakes, and rust are the usual culprits at this stage. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work before or immediately after purchase, and factor in higher-than-average MOT failure risk when planning your ownership costs.
What to check before buying a 1996 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 (94%) | 962 | 63.2% | 1.63 |
| Diesel (6%) | 61 | 54.7% | 1.84 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1996 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 1996 Rover Metro vehicles fall between 41,404 and 67,850 miles.
1996 Rover Metro — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (22% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1996 Rover Metro
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
37%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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19.6%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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16.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.3%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
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13%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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12%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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11.6%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Rover Metro?
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