1989 Rover Metro — MOT failures & pass rate
264 MOT tests on the 1989 Rover Metro are in this dataset, and 78.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (21.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.5%) and brakes (9.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are non catalyst emissions, service brake performance and service brake imbalance — non catalyst emissions alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.2% in the 0-30k band and 24.6% in the 60-90k band, a 6.4-point spread.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 21.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 25 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 25 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 23 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 23 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.6% | 20 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 13 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 12 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 21.6% | 57 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.3% | 51 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.8% | 39 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.6% | 36 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 29 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 22 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 44 | 18.2% |
| 30-60k | 146 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 57 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 49 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 54 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 52 | 21.1% |
| 2024 | 53 | 18.9% |
| 2025 | 56 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 1989 Metro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1989 Rover Metros pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 264 1989 Rover Metro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Rover Metro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 1989 Metro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 0-30k band to 24.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 264 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.