1989 Austin Metro City — MOT History by Age

How cars manufactured in 1989 perform at MOT as they age

37 years

Current Age

62.5%

Latest Pass Rate

604

Total Tests (All Years)

57,757 mi

Avg Mileage (Latest)

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

Best vintage for Metro City

Insufficient data for same-age comparison.

How This Car Ages

Pass rate progression for the 1989 Austin Metro City as it ages.

20 yrs44.4%

→ ↑13.8%

21 yrs58.2%

→ ↑2.6%

22 yrs60.8%

→ ↓0.5%

23 yrs60.3%

→ ↑5.0%

24 yrs65.3%

→ ↓11.6%

25 yrs53.7%

→ ↑8.8%

26 yrs62.5%

→ ↑10.2%

27 yrs72.7%

→ ↑0.6%

28 yrs73.3%

→ ↓10.8%

35 yrs62.5%

📊 View as table

Age	Pass Rate	Tests
20 yrs	44.4%	144
21 yrs	58.2%	98
22 yrs	60.8%	79
23 yrs	60.3%	58
24 yrs	65.3%	49
25 yrs	53.7%	41
26 yrs	62.5%	40
27 yrs	72.7%	33
28 yrs	73.3%	30
35 yrs	62.5%	32

Pass Rate Trend

How the 1989 Austin Metro City pass rate changes as it ages, from first MOT to most recent.

📊 View as table

Built	Pass Rate	Tests
2024 (35 yrs)	62.5%	32
2017 (28 yrs)	73.3%	30
2016 (27 yrs)	72.7%	33
2015 (26 yrs)	62.5%	40
2014 (25 yrs)	53.7%	41
2013 (24 yrs)	65.3%	49
2012 (23 yrs)	60.3%	58
2011 (22 yrs)	60.8%	79
2010 (21 yrs)	58.2%	98
2009 (20 yrs)	44.4%	144

Year-by-Year MOT Results

2009High Fail Rate

44.4%

Age (yrs) 20Tests 144Avg Mileage 48,916Top Failure Suspension — 31.3%

2010High Fail Rate

58.2%

Age (yrs) 21Tests 98Avg Mileage 44,532Top Failure Suspension — 26.5%

2011High Fail Rate

60.8%

Age (yrs) 22Tests 79Avg Mileage 47,185Top Failure Suspension — 22.8%

2012High Fail Rate

60.3%

Age (yrs) 23Tests 58Avg Mileage 45,300Top Failure Suspension — 27.6%

2013

65.3%

Age (yrs) 24Tests 49Avg Mileage 69,077Top Failure Suspension — 61.2%

2014High Fail Rate

53.7%

Age (yrs) 25Tests 41Avg Mileage 44,766Top Failure Suspension — 104.9%

2015High Fail Rate

62.5%

Age (yrs) 26Tests 40Avg Mileage 45,663Top Failure Suspension — 75.0%

2016

72.7%

Age (yrs) 27Tests 33Avg Mileage 46,722Top Failure Brakes — 30.3%

2017

73.3%

Age (yrs) 28Tests 30Avg Mileage 47,499Top Failure Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 30.0%

2024High Fail Rate

62.5%

Age (yrs) 35Tests 32Avg Mileage 57,757Top Failure Noise, emissions and leaks — 25.0%

MOT results for 1989 Austin Metro City by test year
Test Year▲	Age (yrs)▲▼	Pass Rate▲▼	Tests▲▼	Avg Mileage▲▼	Top Failure▲▼
2009	20	44.4%	144	48,916	Suspension — 31.3%
2010	21	58.2%	98	44,532	Suspension — 26.5%
2011	22	60.8%	79	47,185	Suspension — 22.8%
2012	23	60.3%	58	45,300	Suspension — 27.6%
2013	24	65.3%	49	69,077	Suspension — 61.2%
2014	25	53.7%	41	44,766	Suspension — 104.9%
2015	26	62.5%	40	45,663	Suspension — 75.0%
2016	27	72.7%	33	46,722	Brakes — 30.3%
2017	28	73.3%	30	47,499	Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 30.0%
2024	35	62.5%	32	57,757	Noise, emissions and leaks — 25.0%

Common MOT Failures

Top failure categories across all test years for 1989 Austin Metro City, with age trends.

Suspension

40.0%

↓ Decreases with age

Brakes

25.3%

↑ Increases with age

Noise, emissions and leaks

25.0%

— Consistent

Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment

24.9%

— Consistent

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

18.8%

— Consistent

How Failures Change With Age

Comparing failure rates between the youngest and oldest test years.

Category	At Youngest	At Oldest	Change	Trend
Suspension	31.3% (20 yrs)	12.5% (35 yrs)	-18.8%	🟢 ↓
Tyres	13.9% (20 yrs)	12.5% (35 yrs)	-1.4%	⚪ —

Other Manufacture Years

1988 1989

← Back to Austin Metro City overview

Looking for the best year to buy? See the full comparison on the Austin Metro City page →

About This Data

This page shows how Austin Metro City cars manufactured in 1989 perform at MOT as they age. Data spans from 2009 to 2024, covering 604 tests. Pass rates naturally decline with age as components wear.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.