Rover Metro (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 36 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,204

£184/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1275cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,204/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel1275cc30 years old36 tests48k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1275cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,204

Per month£184/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Rover brand average of 74%.

69% of MOT tests on Rover Metros from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 36 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 48,435 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models194th of 243(bottom 21%)

Rank among Rover models128th of 153(bottom 17%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-6%(75% avg)

vs Rover average-5%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

48,435

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Rover Metro had 48,435 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 1996 scores 69%. 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

Ford Fiesta

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,527/year

65%

-4%

Ford Mondeo

1996 · 1753cc Diesel

£2,327/year

73%

+4%

Peugeot 205

1994 · 1769cc Diesel

£2,327/year

73%

+4%

Daihatsu Hijet

1997 · 1221cc Diesel

£2,004/year

72%

+3%

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About the 1996 Rover Metro

The 1996 Rover Metro is a small family car. Our records list a 1275cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 36 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 21% of 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 48,435 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.

1996 Rover Metro Fuel Costs

The 1275cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1996 Rover Metro?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,204 (£184/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% 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 1996 Rover Metro

At 30 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%. Note: with only 36 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 69% 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 1996 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(1996)	69%	£1,219	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,204
Ford Fiesta(1998)	65%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,527+£323
Ford Mondeo(1996)	73%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327+£123
Peugeot 205(1994)	73%	£1,397	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,327+£123
Daihatsu Hijet(1997)	72%	£1,219	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,004-£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 1996 Rover Metro

Is the 1996 Rover Metro reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 1996 Rover Metros ended in a pass, from 36 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Rover Metro cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,204 a year (£184 a month): £1,219 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 1996 Rover Metro?

69% of 36 MOT tests on the 1996 Rover Metro ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 194th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom 21%).

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 1996 Rover Metro?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Rover Metro is 48,435 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.