Mini Cooper Sd
From 4,297 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Cooper Sds fare better: 2013 models pass at 79.4% vs 75.9% for 2011.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 166 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 166 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 74 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 73 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 62 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 58 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 58 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 43 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 43 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 41 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 35 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 36.3% of failures are serious: 25% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 11.3% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £72.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 79.4% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2012 | 83.2% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2011 | 75.9% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Cooper Sds tested had between 70,942 and 106,764 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,267 median miles, the Cooper Sd has 0.022 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mini models
| Mini Mini | 71.5% |
| Mini Cooper | 87% |
| Mini Cooper S | 88.5% |
| Mini Countryman | 88.5% |
| Mini One | 83.1% |
Common questions
What is the Mini Cooper Sd MOT pass rate?
The Mini Cooper Sd has a 80.4% MOT pass rate based on 4,297 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mini Cooper Sd?
The most common MOT failure on the Mini Cooper Sd is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 166 failures. Other common issues include a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage.
What is the typical mileage of a Mini Cooper Sd at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mini Cooper Sd is 87,267 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 70,942 and 106,764 miles.
Buying a used Cooper Sd?
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 80.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £72 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.