Austin Maestro 700 L MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 91 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 40.7%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Austin Maestro 700 L MOT Reliability Overview
The Austin Maestro 700 L is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 91 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.3% and a failure rate of 40.7%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Austin Maestro 700 L earns a "Below Average" reliability rating. The average Austin Maestro 700 L presents for MOT with approximately 97,422 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1989 models achieve the highest pass rate at 75.0%, while 1988 models have the lowest at 54.3%. This 20.7 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Austin Maestro 700 L is Suspension, affecting 64.8% of all tests. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. The second most common issue is Brakes at 35.2%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 28.6%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 82.4% | 75 |
| 2 | Brakes | 47.3% | 43 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 36.3% | 33 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 34.1% | 31 |
| 5 | Body, Structure And General Items | 22.0% | 20 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 13.2% | 12 |
| 7 | Tyres | 13.2% | 12 |
| 8 | Driver's View Of The Road | 12.1% | 11 |
| 9 | Steering | 5.5% | 5 |
| 10 | Road Wheels | 2.2% | 2 |
| 11 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 97,422 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.46 | 82.4% | 75 |
| Brakes | 4.85 | 47.3% | 43 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 3.72 | 36.3% | 33 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.50 | 34.1% | 31 |
| Body & Structure | 2.26 | 22.0% | 20 |
| Seat Belts | 1.35 | 13.2% | 12 |
| Tyres | 1.35 | 13.2% | 12 |
| Visibility | 1.24 | 12.1% | 11 |
| Steering | 0.56 | 5.5% | 5 |
| Wheels | 0.23 | 2.2% | 2 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.11 | 1.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Austin Maestro 700 L has 97,422 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Austin Maestro 700 L has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.18% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Austin Maestro 700 L MOT Data
The Austin Maestro 700 L is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 91 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.3% and a failure rate of 40.7%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Austin Maestro 700 L owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on suspension and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Maestro 700 L is likely to perform.
Suspension — 64.8% of failures
Suspension issues account for 64.8% of MOT failures on the Austin Maestro 700 L. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Brakes — 35.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 35.2% of MOT failures on the Austin Maestro 700 L. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 28.6% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 28.6% of MOT failures on the Austin Maestro 700 L. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Austin Maestro 700 L?
Based on 91 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Austin Maestro 700 L has an overall pass rate of 59.3% (40.7% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Austin Maestro 700 L?
The top 3 reasons a Austin Maestro 700 L fails its MOT are: 1. Suspension (64.8%), 2. Brakes (35.2%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (28.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Austin Maestro 700 L reliable?
With a 40.7% MOT failure rate, the Maestro 700 L is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Austin Maestro 700 L?
Based on failure data, focus on: Suspension (64.8%); Brakes (35.2%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (28.6%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.