Rover Metro (1994)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 543 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,960

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1120cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1,960/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1120cc32 years old543 tests51k 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

£500

Total per year£1,960

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data.

75% of MOT tests on Rover Metros from 1994 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 30 years old. That's based on 543 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 50,507 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 models122nd of 204(bottom half)

Rank among Rover models66th of 153(top half)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 1994 models average-1%(76% avg)

vs Rover average+1%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

50,507

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1994 Rover Metro had 50,507 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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%. The 1994 scores 75%. 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

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

-1%

Honda Civic

1996 · 1590cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-2%

Ford Escort

1996 · 1391cc Petrol

£2,183/year

77%

+2%

Nissan Micra

1996 · 998cc Petrol

£2,160/year

67%

-8%

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About the 1994 Rover Metro

The 1994 Rover Metro is a city car. Our records list a 1120cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 543 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 50,507 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.

1994 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 1994 Rover Metro?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,960 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 1994 Rover Metro

At 32 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1990 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

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.

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 1994 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(1994)	75%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,960
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£223
Honda Civic(1996)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£368
Ford Escort(1996)	77%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£223
Nissan Micra(1996)	67%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£2,160+£200

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 1994 Rover Metro

Is the 1994 Rover Metro reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 1994 Rover Metros ended in a pass, from 543 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1994 Rover Metro cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,960 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Rover Metro?

75% of 543 MOT tests on the 1994 Rover Metro ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 122nd of 204 models first registered in 1994 (bottom half).

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 1994 Rover Metro?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1994 Rover Metro is 50,507 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.