1993 Rover Metro 1.1L Petrol · K235 FBD
1993 Rover Metro (1.1L, petrol). First registered 30 Apr 1993. Recorded mileage 32,662 miles. MOT expired on 16 Jun 2026.
- Make & Model
- ROVER METRO
- Year / Origin
- 1993 · Borehamwood
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 16 Jun 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 32,662 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.1L
- 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.
K235 FBD Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/06/2025
- 32,662 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
K235 FBD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1993 Rover Metro (K235 FBD) between October 2022 and June 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 18 June 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (6 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Bodywork (1 issue), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Outer Sill, previous patch not weld”; “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Outer Sill, previous patch only spot”; “Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”.
K235 FBD Mileage History
- 20/10/202232,341 mi
- 23/10/202332,493 mi+152 mi
- 30/10/202332,510 mi+17 mi
- 21/10/202432,659 mi+149 mi
- 18/06/202532,662 mi+3 mi
Average of roughly 121 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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: Below Average
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.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (K235 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as K235FBD.
VOLVO
400 SERIES
AUSTIN
MINI THIRTY
PEUGEOT
HARLEY DAVIDSON
1340
NISSAN
VAUXHALL
CAVALIER
MAZDA
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO
ROVER
220
NISSAN
180 SX
HONDA
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
ROVER METRO Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1993 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.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.