Mini common problems and MOT failures
From 1,349,871 MOT tests in 2024, 14.3% of Mini vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Mini MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre seriously damaged | 28,744 |
| 2 | lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 23,366 |
| 3 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 21,086 |
| 4 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 19,200 |
| 5 | suspension pin, bush or joint worn | 17,094 |
| 6 | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 16,333 |
| 7 | emissions levels exceed default limits | 12,913 |
| 8 | rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 11,710 |
| 9 | emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 11,038 |
| 10 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 10,988 |
What this means if you're buying a Mini
The single most common MOT failure for Mini is tyre seriously damaged, accounting for 17% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Mini vehicles. If you're viewing a used Mini, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Mini models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first — these models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 456,476 | 77.3% |
| Cooper D | 11,327 | 82.1% |
| Mini (R60) | 22,446 | 84.8% |
| One | 75,814 | 87.8% |
| Clubman | 41,323 | 88.4% |
| Paceman | 15,145 | 89.8% |
| Cooper | 322,304 | 90.5% |
| Cooper S | 152,416 | 91.2% |
| Countryman | 139,806 | 91.6% |
| John Cooper Works | 45,083 | 92.2% |
Buying a specific Mini? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK