MOT failures by make
MINI MOT failures for “Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure”
MINI cars failed their MOT on “Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure” in 0.81% of 1,600,610 tests in 2023–2024 (12,999 tests) — 1.8 times as often as comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 0.46% of tests. It is the number 15 most common failure item on MINIs.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- MINI tests failing on it
- 0.81%
- 12,999 of 1,600,610 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 0.46%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 1.76×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #15 for MINI
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, MINIs fail 14% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 2.03× wider than that overall level, so it is a genuine MINI pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a dangerous defect in the tyres part of the test. Nationally it appears on 0.47% of MOT tests.
MINI models and “Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure”
The MINI Clubman is most affected (2.43× comparable cars); the MINI Countryman least (1.14×). Every model listed is above the national rate, so the pattern runs across the range. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Clubman | 51,717 | 1.24% | 2.43× |
| MINI Hatch | 752,657 | 1.02% | 2.06× |
| MINI Paceman | 15,913 | 0.76% | 1.52× |
| MINI Countryman | 207,050 | 0.56% | 1.14× |
By age at test
The difference is largest at 5-6 years old: 1.12% of MINI tests against 0.50% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | MINI tests | MINI | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 223,344 | 0.86% | 0.47% |
| 5-6 | 251,094 | 1.12% | 0.50% |
| 7-8 | 245,471 | 0.96% | 0.50% |
| 9-10 | 197,442 | 0.73% | 0.48% |
| 11-12 | 174,195 | 0.69% | 0.48% |
| 13-15 | 193,439 | 0.61% | 0.45% |
| 16+ | 241,556 | 0.47% | 0.36% |
Other MINI MOT faults that stand out
- Stop lamp: not working · 0.65× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the MINI tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this MINI failed on it before?
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.