Verdict
MINIs pass their MOT first time on 75.2% of tests, against 72.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. They beat 67% of cars on UK roads, ranking MINI 10th of 40 makes: better than average, and well ahead of Ford and Vauxhall.
Every MINI model beats more than half of cars. The Paceman does best, beating 94%, followed by the Countryman at 87%. The Roadster beats 72%, and the Clubman and John Cooper Works about two in three (66% each).
The MINI hatch, including the Cooper and One, makes up about four in five MINI tests and beats 64% of cars: above average, though the lowest of the MINI models. Its pass rate is about 73%, against about 70.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage.
MINIs fail on suspension only about half as often as a typical car, and less often on steering, body and structure and brakes. Emissions and leaks are the weak spot, at about 1.25 times the typical rate (about 1 in 27 tests).
Best MINI models
Models with 50,000+ MOT tests. Beats = share of cars on UK roads it does better than.
- Paceman Beats 94%
- Countryman Beats 87%
- Clubman Beats 66%
- John Cooper Works Beats 66%
- MINI Beats 64%
Check most carefully
None: every MINI model beats at least half of cars.
Where it fails
Every MINI compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
MINI models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI 2001–2023 | 73.2% | Beats 64% | B |
| Countryman 2010–2023 | 84.1% | Beats 87% | A |
| Clubman 2010–2019 | 83.0% | Beats 66% | B |
| John Cooper Works 2011–2023 | 85.6% | Beats 66% | B |
| Paceman 2013–2016 | 85.0% | Beats 94% | A |
| Roadster 2012–2015 | 82.0% | Beats 72% | B |
FAQ
What is the MINI MOT pass rate?
75.2% of MINI MOT tests were passed first time, from 6.4 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 72.1%, so MINI is better than average.
Is MINI reliable?
On MOT results, yes: MINI beats 67% of cars on UK roads and ranks 10th of 40 makes. Every model beats more than half of cars once age and mileage are taken into account. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which MINI model is most reliable?
The Paceman beats 94% of cars on UK roads and the Countryman 87%. The MINI hatch, including the Cooper and One, beats nearly two in three.
Which MINI should I check most carefully?
None stands out as poor. The MINI hatch, including the Cooper and One, does least well, beating 64% of cars: still above average.
What do MINIs fail the MOT on?
Lights and electrics most often, on about 1 in 10 tests, slightly less than typical. Compared with typical cars, emissions and leaks fail about 1.25 times as often, while suspension fails only about half as often.