Mini MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Mini passed 62.4% of its first MOT tests, from 287,825 tests in Great Britain. That is 9 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Mini MOT failures
The area that failed most often was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 18.3% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 18.3% vs 11.3%
- Brakes 9.8% vs 6.8%
- Suspension 8.8% vs 8.9%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 8.4% vs 3.1%
- Tyres 6.4% vs 6.3%
- Body, chassis, structure 5.9% vs 3.4%
- Visibility 5.6% vs 4.8%
- Steering 2.5% vs 1.8%
- Position lamp 7.4% vs 2.8%
- Headlamp aim 6.3% vs 3.3%
- Catalyst emissions 5.1% vs 0.9%
- Tyres: condition 3.8% vs 3.7%
- Washers 2.8% vs 2.5%
- Service brake performance 2.8% vs 1.5%
- Stop lamp 2.7% vs 2.2%
- Tread depth 2.7% vs 2.6%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: Not working | 7.1% |
| Headlamp aim: Projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 2.7% |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 2.7% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 2.6% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 2.6% |
| Stop lamp: Not working | 2.5% |
| Headlamp aim: Too low | 2.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: Inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 2.3% |
| Joints: Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.2% |
| Pins and bushes: Pin or bush excessively worn | 2.0% |
Mini pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 82.7% for cars aged 6 to 9 years and 56.0% 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.
- 6 to 9 years 82.7% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 70.0% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 56.0% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 241,016 | 61.3% |
| Diesel | 46,797 | 68.3% |
Most common Mini advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 18.0%
- Engine oil leaks 17.4%
- Brake discs 14.9%
- Rigid brake pipes 10.8%
- Tyres: condition 10.6%
- Pins and bushes 8.1%
- Sub-frame 7.6%
- Vehicle 6.5%
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
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mini?
In 2023, 62.4% of Mini MOT tests were passed first time, from 287,825 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?
The most common failure area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which caused 18.3% of tests to fail. Next came brakes (9.8%) and suspension (8.8%).
Is the Mini reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 62.4% is 9 points below the average and ranks 89 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'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.