IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
1985–1987 Austin Montego

We've identified 3 known issues that can affect the 1985–1987 Austin Montego. 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Rear Wheelarch and Outer Sill Seam Corrosion

SeriousBodywork & Rust

Corrosion along the outer sills and rear wheelarch lips is the primary structural threat to surviving Austin Montegos. Road grit and wet salt flung into the rear wheel tubs collect along the unsealed return lip of the arch, rotting the metal from the inside outwards until blisters appear through the paint. Montego sills are particularly susceptible along their rear lower edges and the structural weld where the outer sill joins the rear three-quarter panel. Serious rot in these locations compromises seatbelt mountings and rear suspension mounting strength, resulting in mandatory MOT test failure.

Est. Repair Cost: £400–£1,100 for fabricated arch repair sections, inner arch welding, and paint matching
Warning Signs:

Blistering paint and ragged rust holes along the rear wheelarch lip and rear sill ends, Crumbling metal and road grit spilling out when tapping the underside of the wheelarch return, Brown rust stains washing down onto the tyre wall following rainy weather, Structural MOT failure advisory or refusal on corrosion within 30cm of rear suspension and seatbelt mounts

What to Inspect:
  • Run fingers along the inner lip of both rear wheelarches to feel for trapped dirt, crunchy metal, or soft fibreglass filler
  • Inspect the welded join where the rear wing meets the outer sill under the rear door aperture for rot
  • Check the rear chassis rails and estate spare wheel well from underneath for structural perforation
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

O-Series Cylinder Head Gasket Oil Weeping and Crankshaft Seal Leaks

ModerateEngine

A well-documented design characteristic of the 2.0-litre O-Series engine is persistent oil weeping from the front right corner of the cylinder head gasket face, between cylinder number four and the distributor housing. Oil gallery layout and clamping pressure variations allow oil to seep past the gasket and run down the block onto the bellhousing. In addition, the rear crankshaft main oil seal frequently hardens with age and leaks into the bellhousing, which can contaminate the clutch friction plate. While minor weeping is manageable, serious leaks require lifting the cylinder head or removing the engine to replace the rear main seal.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£650 for cylinder head gasket renewal, new valve cover gasket, and crank seal replacement
Warning Signs:

Visible engine oil pooling on the front right corner of the cylinder block beneath the distributor cap, Burning oil aroma entering the cabin through heating vents when sitting in stationary traffic, Oil dripping from the engine bellhousing inspection plate onto the driveway, Gradual drop in engine oil level requiring frequent top-ups between annual services

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect the front-right seam of the cylinder head mating face adjacent to number four cylinder for fresh oil weeping
  • Check the lower bellhousing joint between engine and gearbox for oil drips indicating crankshaft rear main oil seal failure
  • Examine coolant expansion bottle for oily residue or milkshake emulsification indicating combined head gasket breach
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Bonded Windscreen Surround Rot and Cabin Water Leaks

ModerateBodywork & Rust

Like the Maestro, the Montego employs direct-bonded windscreen glass that was revolutionary in 1984 but prone to severe rust in subsequent decades. Water becomes trapped beneath the rubber finisher trim, attacking the steel pinch-weld channel along the upper roof line and the scuttle corners. Once rust perforates the aperture, water enters the cabin behind the dashboard, soaking bulkhead soundproofing and dripping into the fuse assembly. Because the glass is structural and bonded with polyurethane adhesive, a permanent repair requires cutting out the screen, welding new channel steel, and refitting new glass.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£750 for screen removal, scuttle welding, aperture rebuild, and glass rebonding
Warning Signs:

Water dripping into the driver and passenger footwells onto the pedals or fuse box, Damp, smelling carpets and heavy condensation inside the car after standing in rain, Rust bubbles and flaking paint visible around the top edge and lower corners of the windscreen glass, Intermittent electrical glitches affecting the dashboard gauges and wiper motor due to water intrusion

What to Inspect:
  • Carefully inspect the rubber surround trim and painted metal channel surrounding the front windscreen glass
  • Lift the front carpets to verify whether the acoustic insulation foam is damp or rotten
  • Check behind the dashboard lower trim and fuse assembly for green copper corrosion on wiring connectors
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 1985–1987 Austin Montego

  • Give the sills, rear wheelarches, and inner front wings rigorous scrutiny; Montego sills rot severely along their rear lower lips, and outer rear arches collect damp mud that rots the metal from behind.
  • On 2.0-litre O-Series petrol engines, inspect the front right of the cylinder head gasket near cylinder number four and the distributor drive; oil seepage here is an endemic casting and gasket weakness that is stubborn to cure.
  • Check the condition of the plastic bumpers; early body-coloured bumpers suffered from excessive baking heat during factory painting, causing them to crack easily and shed paint over time.
  • On cars fitted with 365mm or 390mm TD-style alloy wheels, inspect the tyres closely; metric-sized tyres are now exceptionally rare and costly to replace, so verify whether conventional imperial wheels have been retrofitted.
  • Inspect the estate car's rear tailgate gas struts, rear bumper mounts, and self-levelling suspension (if fitted); look for sagging tail ends or cracked load-bay interior plastics on well-used family load-luggers.
19841988
Check a 1985–1987 Austin Montego by Registration