1981 Rover - Austin Metro L review from UK and Ireland

Distributor went at 110,000 miles.

Leak in drivers foot well.

Front nearside hydra gas suspension went after 110,000 miles.

Handbrake was poor.

This was an ideal first car for me. It wasn't quick but it was relaible! I could get 65 - 70MPH out of it which with four gears was enough for me and it was a very rev-happy car, just what you want as a new driver!

The only time 'Ermie' broke down that I couldn't fix her was when the ditributor went on me - again just a case of sourcing the part and fitting it yourself. It was easy car to work on as the engine wasn't all that different from the original morris A-class engine, it taught me a lot about mechanics. It didn't have power anything, which meant there was nothing to go wrong, I did put in a sterio though which was a waste of time as the rattleing from the ventilation system drowned it out easily!

Parts were cheap when the car did go wrong, the local scrap yard had ten to fifteen of the cars lined up,

My only two long - term gripes with Ermie was her suspension; the hydra gas system was never right. Garages would either let it down too far or pump it up so it looked like a monster truck! The ride was stiff and she got through track - rod ends for a past time as a result. I never found a fixable solution, although she went around corners well as a result.

My other gripe was the floorpan which always added £200 or so to the M.O.T price, a real shame actually as the rest of the car didn't have any rust whatsoever when I got rid of it.