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MINI reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 5.2 million MOT tests of cars first registered 2001–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
MINI
73.2%pass first time
+2.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 64%of cars
5.2MMOT tests

Verdict

The MINI passes its MOT first time on 73.2% of tests, against 70.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. It beats 64% of cars on UK roads: better than average. Of the best-selling small cars, the Honda Jazz does better and the Audi A1 is level with it; the Toyota Yaris, Škoda Fabia, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio do worse.

It pulls ahead with age: from 8 to 11 years old it passes about 6 percentage points more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage.

The best years are 2014–2016, which beat about eight in ten cars. 2001–2006 cars beat just under half, and cars from 2020 on do less well than the years before them, beating only about half, mainly because of tyre damage.

Better than average on suspension. Catalyst emissions are the weak spot: they fail about 2.3 times as often as on a typical car, and about 3.8 times on 2007–2013 cars.

Watch these weak spots

Emissions & leaks1.3×as often as a typical car
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.3×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192090%86%83%79%72%64%58%54%54%
MINITypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2001
Beats 27%
2002
Beats 34%
2003
Beats 43%
2004
Beats 50%
2005
Beats 51%
2006
Beats 50%
2007
Beats 55%
2008
Beats 63%
2009
Beats 67%
2010
Beats 77%
2011
Beats 70%
2012
Beats 78%
2013
Beats 75%
2014
Beats 83%
2015
Beats 83%
2016
Beats 79%
2017
Beats 68%
2018
Beats 71%
2019
Beats 72%
2020
Beats 59%
2021
Beats 42%
2022
Beats 46%
2023
Beats 46%

Engines

All years, 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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2001–20152,462,99264.2%Beats 60%B
1.5 Petrol2014–20231,074,09087.3%Beats 77%B
1.6 Diesel2007–2015423,46669.8%Beats 74%B
2.0 Petrol2014–2023359,80187.2%Beats 75%B
1.5 Diesel2014–2018241,01282.1%Beats 77%B
1.2 Petrol2014–2017193,20785.2%Beats 81%A
1.4 Petrol2007–2010188,87758.9%Beats 42%C
2.0 Diesel2010–2019164,27278.9%Beats 80%A
Electric2020–202345,06687.9%Beats 20%E
1.4 Diesel2003–201240,79861.1%Beats 61%B
1.5 Hybrid2019–202231,11186.6%Beats 55%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 11.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 11.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.9 ptsTyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres0.0 ptsBrakes: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.9 ptsSuspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.5 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.1 ptsSuspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 11.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 11.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.9 ptsTyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres0.0 ptsBrakes: 6.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.9 ptsSuspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.5 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
11.3% vs 12.1%
Tyres
6.2% vs 6.2%
Brakes
6.2% vs 7.1%
Visibility
5.1% vs 5.1%
Suspension
4.9% vs 9.4%
Emissions & leaks
4.3% vs 3.2%
Body & structure
3.0% vs 3.6%
Steering
1.4% vs 1.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 1.1%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights
    The MINI's most common MOT fail, on about 1 in 25 tests (1.4 times the typical rate), and about 1 in 16 on 2007–2013 cars. Walk around with all the lights on.
  • Exhaust emissions
    On 2007–2013 cars catalyst emissions fail on about 1 in 24 tests, 3.8 times the typical rate, and the engine warning light about 1.5 times. Check past MOT emissions readings, look for smoke and make sure the warning light goes out after start-up.
  • Tyres
    On cars from 2020 on, tyre damage fails on about 1 in 19 tests, about 1.7 times the typical rate. Check every tyre for cuts, bulges and cracking, including the inner edges.
  • Brake pipes and suspension bushes
    On 2001–2006 cars brake pipes fail about 1.9 times and suspension arm bushes about 2.2 times as often as on a typical car. Look underneath for rusty brake pipes and listen for knocks over bumps.
  • Steering and CV joints
    On 2001–2006 cars, track rod ends and drive shaft (CV) joints both fail about 1.6 times as often as on a typical car. Feel for play in the steering and listen for clicking on full lock.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Fail about 1.5 times as often as on a typical car on cars from 2014 on. Check the blades for splits and smearing.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%87%81%72%63%57%53%51%
MINITypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights3.9%2.9%1.4×
Headlight aim3.8%3.4%1.1×
Tyre damage & cracking3.8%3.5%1.1×
Windscreen wipers3.0%2.5%1.2×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4%1.0%2.3×
Tyre tread depth2.1%2.4%0.9×
Windscreen washers1.8%2.2%0.8×
Brake pads1.7%1.8%0.9×
Brake lights1.6%2.4%0.7×
Engine warning light1.3%1.2%1.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements37.9
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning34.0
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen29.3
A tyre seriously damaged24.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements20.9
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn18.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen18.3
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning14.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2023 MINI3 engines90.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol8,98890.8%Beats 61%B
2.0 Petrol3,52788.7%Beats 26%D
Electric2,52289.0%Beats 20%D
2022 MINI4 engines89.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol37,17589.9%Beats 50%C
Electric12,80589.8%Beats 36%D
2.0 Petrol11,01789.6%Beats 45%C
1.5 Hybrid3,00487.3%Beats 32%D
2021 MINI4 engines88.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol55,22088.8%Beats 49%C
2.0 Petrol19,65588.6%Beats 45%C
Electric17,51887.0%Beats 14%E
1.5 Hybrid6,94787.7%Beats 60%C
2020 MINI4 engines88.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol80,79389.2%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol31,28489.0%Beats 61%B
Electric12,22187.0%Beats 18%E
1.5 Hybrid7,73286.9%Beats 55%C
2019 MINI4 engines88.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol155,71889.0%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol61,96889.1%Beats 75%B
1.5 Hybrid13,42885.8%Beats 57%C
2.0 Diesel1,15883.2%Beats 45%C
2018 MINI4 engines87.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol174,33887.9%Beats 71%B
2.0 Petrol61,99188.0%Beats 73%B
1.5 Diesel10,09084.5%Beats 65%B
2.0 Diesel1,29086.0%Beats 76%B
2017 MINI5 engines85.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol165,34786.4%Beats 69%B
2.0 Petrol51,04986.9%Beats 74%B
1.5 Diesel33,07482.5%Beats 62%B
1.2 Petrol31,93686.1%Beats 67%B
2.0 Diesel11,98684.4%Beats 73%B
2016 MINI5 engines85.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol160,04586.4%Beats 82%A
1.5 Diesel64,42782.9%Beats 74%B
1.2 Petrol53,55985.9%Beats 79%B
2.0 Petrol47,90685.8%Beats 77%B
2.0 Diesel20,41984.2%Beats 81%A
2015 MINI7 engines84.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol141,51386.1%Beats 90%A
1.5 Diesel81,48282.2%Beats 81%A
1.2 Petrol77,18585.1%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol39,95285.0%Beats 84%A
1.6 Petrol29,64980.5%Beats 42%C
2.0 Diesel20,72082.1%Beats 80%B
1.6 Diesel1,49174.3%Beats 24%D
2014 MINI7 engines82.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol94,95384.4%Beats 91%A
1.5 Diesel51,93980.0%Beats 82%A
1.6 Petrol42,65579.7%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol31,45283.2%Beats 87%A
1.2 Petrol30,52783.5%Beats 87%A
1.6 Diesel13,91275.3%Beats 58%C
2.0 Diesel10,33779.5%Beats 79%B
2013 MINI3 engines77.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol224,75378.3%Beats 73%B
1.6 Diesel97,62975.0%Beats 74%B
2.0 Diesel52,69778.4%Beats 85%A
2012 MINI4 engines75.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol221,20276.6%Beats 78%B
1.6 Diesel75,60573.5%Beats 78%B
2.0 Diesel28,67675.6%Beats 82%A
1.4 Diesel6,39271.2%Beats 70%B
2011 MINI4 engines71.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol198,44572.2%Beats 69%B
1.6 Diesel62,01969.5%Beats 72%B
2.0 Diesel15,25970.3%Beats 70%B
1.4 Diesel10,40969.3%Beats 70%B
2010 MINI5 engines70.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol230,25871.6%Beats 78%B
1.6 Diesel53,50768.0%Beats 78%B
1.4 Petrol17,51964.5%Beats 54%C
1.4 Diesel4,22269.4%Beats 79%B
2.0 Diesel1,73069.0%Beats 73%B
2009 MINI3 engines66.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol164,02468.1%Beats 72%B
1.4 Petrol70,73861.7%Beats 48%C
1.6 Diesel47,14365.1%Beats 75%B
2008 MINI3 engines62.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol163,51264.1%Beats 65%B
1.4 Petrol55,36857.2%Beats 40%C
1.6 Diesel47,53763.3%Beats 74%B
2007 MINI3 engines59.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol211,12560.5%Beats 58%C
1.4 Petrol45,25254.5%Beats 32%D
1.6 Diesel24,62359.8%Beats 66%B
2006 MINI2 engines56.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol221,71256.8%Beats 50%C
1.4 Diesel3,34052.4%Beats 48%C
2005 MINI2 engines55.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol239,68655.8%Beats 52%C
1.4 Diesel6,26451.1%Beats 46%C
2004 MINI2 engines54.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol207,65954.1%Beats 50%C
1.4 Diesel5,36752.1%Beats 53%C
2003 MINI2 engines51.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol162,89951.5%Beats 43%C
1.4 Diesel4,80451.4%Beats 51%C
2002 MINI1 engine49.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol116,44649.1%Beats 34%D
2001 MINI1 engine46.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol28,96746.5%Beats 27%D

FAQ

What is the MINI MOT pass rate?

73.2% of MINI MOT tests were passed first time, from 5.2 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.5%.

Is the MINI reliable?

On MOT results it is better than average: it beats 64% of cars on UK roads, and it passes more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage at every MOT up to about 15 years old. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which MINI years are best?

2014–2016 cars do best, beating about eight in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account; 2010–2013 cars come next at about three in four, and 2017–2019 cars beat about seven in ten.

Which MINI years should I avoid?

2001–2006 cars beat just under half of cars, with brake pipes, suspension bushes and steering joints failing well above the typical rate. 2007–2010 cars with the 1.4 petrol also do poorly, beating only about four in ten.

Which MINI engine is best?

The 1.2 petrol (2014–2017) and the 2.0 diesel do best, beating about eight in ten cars, with the 1.5 petrol and 1.5 diesel close behind and the 2.0 petrol not far off. The 1.6 petrol (2001–2015) beats about six in ten, the 1.4 petrol (2007–2010) about four in ten, and the electric MINI does worst, beating only about one in five.

What are the most common MOT failures on the MINI?

Sidelights (about 1 in 25 tests), headlight aim, tyre damage and windscreen wipers.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.