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Rover
Metro
2,087 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Metros pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 6.5 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
71.0%
Pass-after-fix
4.1%
Fail
23.8%
Avg miles
48,696
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars registered before January 2006 are typically pre-Euro 4 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ. Bristol CAZ does not charge petrol cars. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Metro: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 911 MOT tests, the Metro returns 72.8% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and emissions levels exceed default limits round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 49,884, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
102 occurrences · 4.9% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
84 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 03
Emissions levels exceed default limits
70 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 04
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
67 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
55 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 06
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
55 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 07
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
51 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 08
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
49 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
42 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
34 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a Metro?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Metro and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.