Mini Cooper MOT pass rate and common problems
89.5% of 349,081 Mini Cooper MOT tests pass.
The Cooper passes its MOT 89.5% of the time — well above the average across all Mini models, which sits at 83.6%.
The Mini Cooper passes its MOT 89.5% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mini Cooper?
This is the average across every Mini Cooper in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mini’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Mini Cooper tested at 0–3 years pass 93.9% of the time, compared with just 64.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.9% | 25,290 | 19,588 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.2% | 121,892 | 29,907 miles |
| 6–10 years | 89.0% | 162,984 | 52,546 miles |
| 10–15 years | 83.1% | 33,088 | 68,620 miles |
| 15+ years | 64.9% | 5,827 | 91,591 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mini Cooper
The most common reason the Mini Cooper fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 37.5% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 29.8% | Not working |
| Visibility | 26.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 16.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 7.0% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.7% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.1% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Mini Cooper: what to check
These checks follow the Mini Cooper’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mini Cooper comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 83.1% to 64.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 79.0% down to 72.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 37.5% of failed Mini Cooper MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 29.8% of failed Mini Cooper MOTs. 32.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 26.6% of failed Mini Cooper MOTs. 6.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 16.1% of failed Mini Cooper MOTs. 16.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 9.2% of failed Mini Cooper MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 21.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mini service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mini models
- Mini Mini — 72.3% pass rate
- Mini Cooper S — 90.5% pass rate
- Mini Countryman — 90.2% pass rate
- Mini One — 86.1% pass rate
- Mini John Cooper Works — 91.5% pass rate
- Mini Clubman — 86.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mini Cooper?
- 89.5% of Mini Cooper MOT tests pass, based on 349,081 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mini Cooper?
- The most common reason the Mini Cooper fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Mini Cooper?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mini Cooper are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Mini Cooper?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mini Cooper's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mini service history guide for how to check and keep one.