Rover Metro (1991)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 286 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1120cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1120cc35 years old286 tests44k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1120cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

67% of MOT tests on Rover Metros from 1991 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 33 years old. That's based on 286 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 44,289 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 models154th of 172(bottom 12%)

Rank among Rover models134th of 153(bottom 14%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 1991 models average-12%(79% avg)

vs Rover average-7%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

44,289

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1991 Rover Metro had 44,289 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%, while the 1991 model has the lowest at 67%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Rover Metro by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1996	69%	36	48,435 mi
1995	82%	34	48,117 mi
1994	75%	543	50,507 mi
1993	77%	340	49,135 mi
1992	75%	284	44,004 mi
1991	67%	286	44,289 mi
1990	80%	230	52,357 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Rover Mini

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,810/year

80%

+13%

Ford Escort

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,178/year

85%

+18%

Peugeot 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,033/year

80%

+13%

Mazda MX-5

1991 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,328/year

78%

+11%

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About the 1991 Rover Metro

The 1991 Rover Metro is a city car. Our records list a 1120cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 286 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 12% of 1991 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 44,289 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rover Metro owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 Rover Metro Fuel Costs

The modest 1120cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 Rover Metro?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Rover Metro Reliability Trend

The Rover Metro has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 Rover Metro

At 35 years old, the Rover Metro is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 Rover Metro stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Rover Metro(1991)	67%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£2,160
Rover Mini(1990)	80%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,810-£350
Ford Escort(1990)	85%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,178+£18
Peugeot 205(1990)	80%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033-£127
Mazda MX-5(1991)	78%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£168

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1991 Rover Metro

Is the 1991 Rover Metro reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 1991 Rover Metros ended in a pass, from 286 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1991 Rover Metro cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Rover Metro?

67% of 286 MOT tests on the 1991 Rover Metro ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 154th of 172 models first registered in 1991 (bottom 12%).

Which year Rover Metro has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 Rover Metro has the highest MOT pass rate at 80% and the 1991 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1991 Rover Metro?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1991 Rover Metro is 44,289 miles, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.