Austin Mini 1000 City E
From 1,946 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are emissions levels exceed default limits, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a headlamp or light source missing and inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led. The top issue, emissions levels exceed default limits, caused 131 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 131 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 76 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 72 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 70 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 65 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 60 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 55 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 51 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 45 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 43 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 17.2% of Mini 1000 City E failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 13.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £112.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 74% | emissions levels exceed default limits, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1988 | 74.5% | emissions levels exceed default limits, braking effort not recording at a wheel |
| 1987 | 70.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1986 | 78.9% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
2 earlier years
| 1985 | 77.8% | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1984 | 67.6% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
Typical mileage
Half of all Mini 1000 City Es tested had between 18,609 and 61,824 miles on the clock.
At 43,381 median miles, the Mini 1000 City E has 0.059 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Austin models
| Austin Mini Mayfair | 76.9% |
Common questions
What is the Austin Mini 1000 City E MOT pass rate?
The Austin Mini 1000 City E has a 74.2% MOT pass rate based on 1,946 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Austin Mini 1000 City E?
The most common MOT failure on the Austin Mini 1000 City E is emissions levels exceed default limits, which caused 131 failures. Other common issues include a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Austin Mini 1000 City E at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Austin Mini 1000 City E is 43,381 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 18,609 and 61,824 miles.
Buying a used Mini 1000 City E?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £112 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.