1994 Rover Metro 1.4L Petrol · L473 OVX
1994 Rover Metro (1.4L, petrol). First registered 17 Jun 1994. Recorded mileage 48,157 miles. MOT valid until 24 Apr 2027.
- Make & Model
- ROVER METRO
- Year / Origin
- 1994 · Stanmore (Wimbledon)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 24 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 48,157 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.4L
- 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.
L473 OVX Key Findings
- 18 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 20/04/2026
- 48,157 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
L473 OVX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
18 MOT tests are recorded for this 1994 Rover Metro (L473 OVX) between June 2006 and April 2026.
The record contains 17 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 20 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (5 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Brakes (1 issue), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)”.
L473 OVX Mileage History
- 07/06/200628,297 mi
- 06/06/200730,303 mi+2,006 mi
- 27/05/200832,197 mi+1,894 mi
- 08/06/200934,170 mi+1,973 mi
- 02/06/201035,656 mi+1,486 mi
- 06/06/201137,137 mi+1,481 mi
- 17/05/201238,534 mi+1,397 mi
- 05/06/201340,015 mi+1,481 mi
- 20/05/201441,634 mi+1,619 mi
- 11/05/201543,431 mi+1,797 mi
- 07/06/201645,107 mi+1,676 mi
- 08/06/201645,107 mi
- 13/05/201746,190 mi+1,083 mi
- 22/05/201846,883 mi+693 mi
- 25/04/202346,962 mi+79 mi
- 26/04/202447,049 mi+87 mi
- 14/04/202547,436 mi+387 mi
- 20/04/202648,157 mi+721 mi
Average of roughly 1,000 miles per year across 18 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
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 1994 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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