Mini Countryman MOT pass rate and common problems
90.2% of 158,732 Mini Countryman MOT tests pass.
The Countryman passes its MOT 90.2% of the time — well above the average across all Mini models, which sits at 83.6%.
The Mini Countryman passes its MOT 90.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mini Countryman?
This is the average across every Mini Countryman 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 declines noticeably with age, from 93.0% at 0–3 years to 84.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.0% | 11,106 | 21,179 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.9% | 56,630 | 33,650 miles |
| 6–10 years | 89.6% | 67,743 | 55,552 miles |
| 10–15 years | 84.3% | 23,207 | 78,770 miles |
| 15+ years | 84.8% | 46 | 98,798 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mini Countryman
The most common reason the Mini Countryman fails its MOT is tyres — present in 39.1% 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 | 39.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.0% | Not working |
| Visibility | 17.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 15.3% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 8.3% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 2.0% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Mini Countryman: what to check
These checks follow the Mini Countryman’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 Countryman comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 89.6% to 84.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 87.0% down to 81.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 39.1% of failed Mini Countryman 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 34.0% of failed Mini Countryman MOTs. 13.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.2% 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 17.2% of failed Mini Countryman MOTs.
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 15.3% of failed Mini Countryman MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes.
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. Suspension
Recorded in 8.3% of failed Mini Countryman MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
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 — 89.5% pass rate
- Mini Cooper S — 90.5% 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 Countryman?
- 90.2% of Mini Countryman MOT tests pass, based on 158,732 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mini Countryman?
- The most common reason the Mini Countryman fails its MOT is tyres — present in 39.1% 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 Countryman?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mini Countryman are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Mini Countryman?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; suspension. 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 Countryman'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.