1986 Rover - Austin Metro City review from UK and Ireland

Heavy Oil leak between engine and sump. On a hot day the oil would burn on the engine block, and smoke would rise from the bonnet vent!

Rust.. rust.. rust, repaired at rear of sills, crumbling sills behind the front wheel arch and jacking point.

Strong smell of petrol when turning corners.

This was my first car that I owned for 3 months until its MOT ran out.

I cannot comment on reliability due to having the car for such a short amount of time. Mechanically all seemed fine, but when it required an MOT it was sold on. However, the car is still on the roads today.

The Metro was very basic, being the city model, having virtually no creature comforts. The ride was bouncy and the car had the typical A-Series whine.

However, the car was fun to drive. Although having only 998cc, it was relatively nippy around town and the engine revved quite freely. The best point was the handling. The Metro cornered well, but had little grip from the 12 inch steel tyres, even with good make tyres on the front, with the car understeering quite easily. The Metro was an easy to drive car, with excellent visibility and manouvreability, helped by the light steering.

The Metro was not all that brilliant one fuel considering its engine capacity. Its replacement (Skoda Favorit 1.3 - see my other review) is a lot more economical.

The main problem was rust - and lots of it. Another one of Rovers pathetic attempts at rustproofing - Maestros and Montegos of the same era are just as bad.

Overall fun for a first car, poor rust protection and uncomfortable on long journeys. Glad to see it go.