Mini Roadster MOT pass rate and common problems
86.8% of 4,987 Mini Roadster MOT tests pass.
The Roadster has a pass rate of 86.8%, a little higher than the average across all Mini models (83.6%).
The Mini Roadster passes its MOT 86.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mini Roadster?
This is the average across every Mini Roadster 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 stays relatively stable with age: 87.0% at 6–10 years versus 86.6% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 87.0% | 3,059 | 51,452 miles |
| 10–15 years | 86.6% | 1,924 | 58,685 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (4) | 4 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mini Roadster
The most common reason the Mini Roadster fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 40.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 40.7% | Not working |
| Tyres | 24.4% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Visibility | 17.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 16.2% | Significantly and obviously worn |
| Suspension | 12.9% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.6% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Road Wheels | 2.1% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 0.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Mini Roadster: what to check
These checks follow the Mini Roadster’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 88.8% down to 81.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 40.7% of failed Mini Roadster MOTs.
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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 24.4% of failed Mini Roadster 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.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.6% of failed Mini Roadster 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 16.2% of failed Mini Roadster MOTs.
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 12.9% of failed Mini Roadster MOTs.
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 Clubman — 86.3% pass rate
- Mini Paceman — 88.5% pass rate
- Mini Cooper D — 78.0% pass rate
- Mini Cooper SD — 82.3% pass rate
- Mini First — 78.8% pass rate
- Mini GT — 93.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mini Roadster?
- 86.8% of Mini Roadster MOT tests pass, based on 4,987 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mini Roadster?
- The most common reason the Mini Roadster fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 40.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Mini Roadster?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mini Roadster are lights and electrics; tyres; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Mini Roadster?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; 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 Roadster'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.