Mini Cooper MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Mini Cooper passed 85.0% of its first MOT tests, from 198,484 tests in Great Britain. That is 13.6 points above the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Mini Cooper MOT failures
The area that failed most often was tyres, affecting 5.4% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Tyres 5.4% vs 6.3%
- Visibility 4.4% vs 4.8%
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 3.6% vs 11.3%
- Brakes 2.3% vs 6.8%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 1.1% vs 3.1%
- Suspension 0.9% vs 8.9%
- Body, chassis, structure 0.4% vs 3.4%
- Road Wheels 0.2% vs 0.4%
- Tyres: condition 3.8% vs 3.7%
- Wipers 3.3% vs 2.2%
- Headlamp aim 1.6% vs 3.3%
- Brake pads 1.5% vs 2.1%
- Tread depth 1.3% vs 2.6%
- Washers 1.1% vs 2.5%
- Position lamp 0.9% vs 2.8%
- Malfunction indicator lamp 0.8% vs 1.5%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 3.2% |
| Tyres: condition: Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 1.7% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 1.3% |
| Brake pads: Less than 1.5 mm thick | 1.1% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 0.9% |
| Tyres: condition: Has ply or cords exposed | 0.8% |
| Tyres: condition: Has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 0.8% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 0.8% |
| Headlamp aim: Too high | 0.7% |
| Headlamp aim: Too low | 0.6% |
Mini Cooper pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 88.9% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 55.4% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 88.9% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 84.1% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 74.2% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 55.4% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 168,991 | 85.8% |
| Diesel | 29,492 | 80.2% |
Most common Mini Cooper advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 13.7%
- Tyres: condition 13.1%
- Brake pads 5.6%
- Brake discs 4.5%
- Vehicle 4.1%
- Road Wheels: condition 1.2%
- Pins and bushes 1.1%
- Engine oil leaks 0.8%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Mini models
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mini Cooper?
In 2023, 85.0% of Mini Cooper MOT tests were passed first time, from 198,484 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Mini Cooper?
The most common failure area was tyres, which caused 5.4% of tests to fail. Next came visibility (4.4%) and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (3.6%).
Is the Mini Cooper reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 85.0% is 13.6 points above the average and ranks 1 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Mini Cooper's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.