Mini Mini
From 456,476 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Minis fare better: 2014 models pass at 83.3% vs 61.5% for 2001.
Pass rate by fuel type
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, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 17,113 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 | 17,113 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 16,970 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 13,391 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 11,067 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 9,535 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 9,009 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 8,696 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 8,152 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 7,789 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 7,571 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 26.6% of Mini failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £95.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 83.3% | a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2013 | 81.1% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2012 | 78.8% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2011 | 75.1% | 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 |
10 earlier years
| 2010 | 74.2% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2009 | 70.6% | emissions levels exceed default limits, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 2008 | 69.7% | emissions levels exceed default limits, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 2007 | 67.7% | emissions levels exceed default limits, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 2006 | 67.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2005 | 67.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2004 | 66.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2003 | 66.2% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2002 | 74.8% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2001 | 61.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all Minis tested had between 59,292 and 89,022 miles on the clock.
At 76,014 median miles, the Mini has 0.037 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mini models
| Mini Cooper | 87% |
| Mini Cooper S | 88.5% |
| Mini Countryman | 88.5% |
| Mini One | 83.1% |
| Mini John Cooper Works | 90.1% |
Common questions
What is the Mini Mini MOT pass rate?
The Mini Mini has a 71.5% MOT pass rate based on 456,476 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mini Mini?
The most common MOT failure on the Mini Mini is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 17,113 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Mini Minis are on UK roads?
There are 11,784 Mini Minis currently licensed on UK roads, with 57 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mini Mini at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mini Mini is 76,014 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 59,292 and 89,022 miles.
Buying a used Mini?
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 71.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £95 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.