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MINI Clubman reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 190,356 MOT tests of cars first registered 2010–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
83.0%pass first time
+2.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 66%of cars
190,356MOT tests

Verdict

The MINI Clubman passes its MOT first time on 83.0% of tests, 2.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (80.9%). That puts it ahead of 66% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 Clubman does best (beats 67% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 59%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 73%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 51%).

Better than average on visibility, brakes, suspension.

Watch these weak spots

Tyre damage & cracking1.6×as often as a typical car
Brake lights2.8×as often as a typical car
Wheel condition4.5×as often as a typical car
Indicator side repeaters1.7×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.

60%70%80%90%34567891011121387%86%82%78%74%69%
MINI ClubmanTypical 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.

2010
Beats 71%
2011
Beats 78%
2012
Beats 82%
2013
Beats 79%
2015
Beats 75%
2016
Beats 67%
2017
Beats 62%
2018
Beats 59%
2019
Beats 67%

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
1.5 Petrol2015–201988,87784.2%Beats 64%B
2.0 Diesel2015–201849,12183.1%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol2015–201835,59282.7%Beats 51%C
1.6 Petrol2010–201314,40576.5%Beats 79%B
1.5 Diesel2017–20171,27183.9%Beats 73%B
1.6 Diesel2012–20121,09072.1%Beats 76%B

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: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% 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: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% 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: 5.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.3% 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: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% 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: 2.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.6% 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: 5.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.3% 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−0.6 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% 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.Tyres−1.2 ptsBrakes: 2.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.6% 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+1.6 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% 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+1.8 ptsExhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% 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+0.7 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% 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: 2.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.6% 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: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% 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: 5.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.3% 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: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% 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: 5.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.3% 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−0.6 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% 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.Tyres−1.2 ptsBrakes: 2.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.6% 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+1.6 ptsSuspension: 2.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% 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+1.8 ptsExhaust: 0.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% 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+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
6.7% vs 5.6%
Lights & electrics
5.9% vs 5.3%
Visibility
2.3% vs 3.6%
Brakes
2.0% vs 3.6%
Suspension
2.0% vs 3.8%
Emissions & leaks
0.7% vs 1.4%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.2%
Body & structure
0.3% vs 1.1%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.4%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.7%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.6× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Brake lights 2.8× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k93%88%83%79%74%70%
MINI ClubmanTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.0%3.2%1.6×
Brake lights2.6%0.9%2.8×
Headlight aim1.8%1.9%1.0×
Tyre tread depth1.6%2.0%0.8×
Brake pads1.4%1.9%0.8×
Windscreen wipers1.2%2.0%0.6×
Coil springs1.0%1.3%0.8×
Windscreen washers0.9%1.4%0.7×
Sidelights0.7%0.8%0.9×
Indicator side repeaters0.6%0.3%1.7×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged34.8
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning25.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements18.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements15.7
A tyre cords visible or damaged14.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen12.2
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm10.2
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened10.1
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.

2019 MINI Clubman1 engine87.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol1,07087.5%Beats 67%B
2018 MINI Clubman3 engines85.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol23,41385.6%Beats 61%B
2.0 Petrol8,06284.2%Beats 45%C
2.0 Diesel5,85883.9%Beats 60%B
2017 MINI Clubman4 engines83.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol28,80984.4%Beats 62%B
2.0 Diesel13,73283.5%Beats 70%B
2.0 Petrol11,94683.1%Beats 49%C
1.5 Diesel1,27183.9%Beats 73%B
2016 MINI Clubman3 engines82.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol29,66483.0%Beats 65%B
2.0 Diesel26,19382.8%Beats 76%B
2.0 Petrol13,10881.7%Beats 54%C
2015 MINI Clubman3 engines82.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol5,92183.0%Beats 75%B
2.0 Diesel3,33882.4%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol2,47681.8%Beats 65%B
2013 MINI Clubman1 engine78.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol7,57778.5%Beats 79%B
2012 MINI Clubman2 engines75.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol3,73977.1%Beats 83%A
1.6 Diesel1,09072.1%Beats 76%B
2011 MINI Clubman1 engine72.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,82072.7%Beats 78%B
2010 MINI Clubman1 engine68.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,26968.3%Beats 71%B

FAQ

What is the MINI Clubman MOT pass rate?

83.0% of MOT tests on the MINI Clubman were passed first time, based on 190,356 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2010–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 80.9% of the time.

Is the MINI Clubman reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 66% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which MINI Clubman year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 Clubman does best for its age and mileage: it beats 67% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 59%.

Which MINI Clubman engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 73% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 51%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the MINI Clubman?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, brake lights, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, tyre damage & cracking comes up 1.6× as often.

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.