Used car guide

1993 Rover Metro: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Rover Metro first registered in 1993: we looked at the 300 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 300 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

300MOTs of 1993 cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 68%)
1,600typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1993 Rover Metro?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1993 Rover Metro than on all cars registered in 1993.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9× usual
    Rover Metro
    11.7% All 1993 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, against 3.9% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 1993 Rover Metro MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1993 Rover Metro MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Brakes
    17% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    17% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    15% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Rust and bodywork
    13% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1993 Rover Metro

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 1993 Rover Metro as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Rover Metro?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Rover Metro compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1995–Too few tests
1994497Brakes 26%
1992244Suspension 18%
1991286Exhaust and emissions 23%
1990268Exhaust and emissions 16%
1989–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Rover Metro cars first registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score