MOT performance
MINI MOT pass rates and common failures
Across 1,600,610 MOT tests of MINI cars in 2023–2024, 76.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, MINIs failed 13% less often than comparable cars. Of the 4 MINI models with enough tests, the MINI Paceman failed least often relative to comparable cars.
1,600,610 MOT tests on 828,328 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.2% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 1,600,610 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.86× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.3% | n = 1,600,610 |
| Average age at test | 9.4 years | n = 1,600,610 |
MINI models
Every MINI model with at least 10,000 tests, most-tested first.
| Model | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Hatch | 752,657 | 83.8% | 0.82× |
| MINI Countryman | 207,050 | 84.1% | 0.73× |
| MINI Clubman | 51,717 | 82.5% | 0.86× |
| MINI Paceman | 15,913 | 83.3% | 0.64× |
Where MINIs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 9.6% | -10% |
| Tyres | 6.2% | +1% |
| Brakes | 4.9% | -22% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.4% | -6% |
| Suspension | 4.0% | -52% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.8% | +20% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.3% | -27% |
| Steering | 0.9% | -45% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | -29% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | +17% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% | +3% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -44% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.42% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.56% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.84% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.58% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.29% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.25% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.23% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.22% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.14% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.13% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 223,344 | 89.0% | -9% |
| 5-6 | 251,094 | 85.9% | -17% |
| 7-8 | 245,471 | 83.7% | -29% |
| 9-10 | 197,442 | 78.2% | -26% |
| 11-12 | 174,195 | 71.7% | -20% |
| 13-15 | 193,439 | 63.1% | -10% |
| 16+ | 241,556 | 54.9% | +2% |
MOT failures where MINI stands out
Individual failure items that MINIs record clearly more or less often than cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. All MINI MOT failure patterns.
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure · 1.76× comparable cars
- Stop lamp: not working · 0.65× comparable cars
Check a specific MINI
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.