1989 Austin Metro City X MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Metro City X models manufactured in 1989, based on 413 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Metro City X cars tested in 1989. Want to see how cars built in 1989 hold up over time?
View 1989 Austin Metro City X vintage page → (41.9% current pass rate)1989 Austin Metro City X MOT Analysis
The 1989 Austin Metro City X has an MOT pass rate of 54.7% based on 413 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,813 miles on the odometer. With a 45.3% failure rate, the 1989 Metro City X is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Austin Metro City X is Body, chassis, structure, responsible for 1.0% of failures. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs range from £100–500+. Brakes is the second most common issue at 1.0%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall Metro City X page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 1.0% | 4 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.0% | 4 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.5% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 60,813 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 0.16 | 1.0% | 4 |
| Brakes | 0.16 | 1.0% | 4 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.08 | 0.5% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1989 Austin Metro City X has an MOT pass rate of 54.7% based on 413 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,813 miles on the odometer. With a 45.3% failure rate, the 1989 Metro City X is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Austin Metro City X, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to body, chassis, structure: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely. At 60,813 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Body, chassis, structure — 1.0% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1989 Austin Metro City X models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Brakes — 1.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1989 Austin Metro City X models. 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).
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.5% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1989 Austin Metro City X models. 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.