1990 Rover Metro 1.3L Petrol · A23 TJR
1990 Rover Metro (1.3L, petrol). First registered 08 Mar 1990. Recorded mileage 46,408 miles. MOT valid until 20 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- ROVER METRO
- Year / Origin
- 1990 · Peterborough
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 46,408 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.3L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
A23 TJR Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/03/2026
- 46,408 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
A23 TJR MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1990 Rover Metro (A23 TJR) between April 2023 and March 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
A23 TJR Mileage History
- 22/04/202336,212 mi
- 06/04/202439,420 mi+3,208 mi
- 19/04/202543,330 mi+3,910 mi
- 21/03/202646,408 mi+3,078 mi
Average of roughly 3,500 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Rover Rover Metro
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Common Problems: ROVER METRO
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Hydragas Suspension Depressurisation and Fluid Pipe Corrosion(Serious)
The Rover Metro replaced the Austin Metro's harsh, separate suspension units with interconnected front-to-rear Alex Moulton Hydragas displacers and interconnected fluid pipes. Over time, the internal nitrogen gas charge in the displacer spheres gradually permeates through the rubber diaphragm, and external steel connection pipes rot in British winter salt. This causes the car to sag onto its bump stops, ruining the ride quality and destroying front tyre alignment. Regassing displacers requires specialist equipment and rare replacement units.
- K-Series Cylinder Head Gasket Failure (Early SPi and MPi)(Serious)
The Rover Metro debuted Rover's all-aluminium K-Series engine (1.1 8v, 1.4 8v, and 1.4 16v GTi). Early K-Series engines utilised plastic locating dowels between the cylinder block and head, a small 3.5-litre cooling capacity, and an elastomer-bead cylinder head gasket. Thermal expansion differentials and minor coolant loss quickly cause the head gasket to blow, warping the lightweight aluminium cylinder head and contaminating the engine oil with coolant.
- A-Pillar, Sill, and Rear Wheel Arch Corrosion(Moderate)
While the Rover Metro received galvanised zinc coating on certain vulnerable lower panels compared to the Austin original, British road salt takes a heavy toll on the A-pillars, lower sills, jacking points, and rear wheel arch returns. Water also penetrates behind the front wing seals and drains into the A-pillar box section, rotting the door hinge mountings and lower windscreen corners. Structural rust in these zones is a primary cause of MOT failure.
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ROVER METRO Model Intelligence & Reliability
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1990 model year cars.
- Hydragas Suspension Depressurisation and Fluid Pipe CorrosionSerious
The Rover Metro replaced the Austin Metro's harsh, separate suspension units with interconnected front-to-rear Alex Moulton Hydragas displacers and interconnected fluid pipes. Over time, the internal nitrogen gas charge in the displacer spheres gradually permeates through the rubber diaphragm, and external steel connection pipes rot in British winter salt. This causes the car to sag onto its bump stops, ruining the ride quality and destroying front tyre alignment. Regassing displacers requires specialist equipment and rare replacement units.
- K-Series Cylinder Head Gasket Failure (Early SPi and MPi)Serious
The Rover Metro debuted Rover's all-aluminium K-Series engine (1.1 8v, 1.4 8v, and 1.4 16v GTi). Early K-Series engines utilised plastic locating dowels between the cylinder block and head, a small 3.5-litre cooling capacity, and an elastomer-bead cylinder head gasket. Thermal expansion differentials and minor coolant loss quickly cause the head gasket to blow, warping the lightweight aluminium cylinder head and contaminating the engine oil with coolant.
- A-Pillar, Sill, and Rear Wheel Arch CorrosionModerate
While the Rover Metro received galvanised zinc coating on certain vulnerable lower panels compared to the Austin original, British road salt takes a heavy toll on the A-pillars, lower sills, jacking points, and rear wheel arch returns. Water also penetrates behind the front wing seals and drains into the A-pillar box section, rotting the door hinge mountings and lower windscreen corners. Structural rust in these zones is a primary cause of MOT failure.
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