CarCostCheck

ROVER METRO (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 286 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,875

£156/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1120cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £1875/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

£955
Road Tax

Based on 1120cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,875
Per month£156/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ROVER brand average of 74%.

At 35 years old, 67% of ROVER METROs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 286 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 44,289 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars159th of 179(top 89%)
Rank among ROVER models134th of 153(top 88%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average-11%(78% avg)
vs ROVER average-7%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

44,289

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 ROVER METRO has 44,289 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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?

The most reliable year is the 1990 model with a 80% MOT pass rate, while the 1991 model has the lowest at 67%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

ROVER METRO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199669%3648,435 mi
199582%3448,117 mi
199475%54350,507 mi
199377%34049,135 mi
199275%28444,004 mi
199167%28644,289 mi
199080%23052,357 mi

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About the 1991 ROVER METRO

The 1991 ROVER METRO is a city car with a 1120cc petrol engine. 286 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 89% of 1991 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 44,289 miles at 35 years old, 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 ROVER METRO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,875 156/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 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

Based on the 1991 ROVER METRO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ROVER METRO(1991)67%£955£165Grp 5-15£1875
ROVER MINI(1990)80%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£485
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£198
PEUGEOT 205(1990)80%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572-£303
MAZDA MX-5(1991)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£48

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Rover Models

Explore other Rover cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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