MOT failures by make
MINI MOT failures for “Stop lamp: not working”
MINI cars failed their MOT on “Stop lamp: not working” in 1.29% of 1,600,610 tests in 2023–2024 (20,587 tests) — 35% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 1.99% of tests. It is the number 5 most common failure item on MINIs.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- MINI tests failing on it
- 1.29%
- 20,587 of 1,600,610 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 1.99%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 0.65×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #5 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 0.75× narrower 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 major defect in the lights, reflectors and electrical part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.96% of MOT tests.
MINI models and “Stop lamp: not working”
The MINI Paceman is least affected (0.17× comparable cars); the MINI Clubman most (3.30×). Not every model follows the make: the pattern is concentrated in some models. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Clubman | 51,717 | 3.07% | 3.30× |
| MINI Hatch | 752,657 | 0.53% | 0.48× |
| MINI Countryman | 207,050 | 0.34% | 0.28× |
| MINI Paceman | 15,913 | 0.29% | 0.17× |
By age at test
The difference is most pronounced at 13-15 years old: 1.64% of MINI tests against 3.75% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | MINI tests | MINI | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 223,344 | 0.11% | 0.19% |
| 5-6 | 251,094 | 0.44% | 0.60% |
| 7-8 | 245,471 | 0.63% | 1.29% |
| 9-10 | 197,442 | 1.32% | 2.14% |
| 11-12 | 174,195 | 1.91% | 2.84% |
| 13-15 | 193,439 | 1.64% | 3.75% |
| 16+ | 241,556 | 3.55% | 4.26% |
Other MINI MOT faults that stand out
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure · 1.76× 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.