Makes › MINI › Countryman

MINI Countryman reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 747,046 MOT tests of cars first registered 2010–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
84.1%pass first time
+5.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 87%of cars
747,046MOT tests

Verdict

The MINI Countryman passes its MOT first time on 84.1% of tests, 5.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (78.4%). That puts it ahead of 87% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 Countryman does best (beats 92% of cars) and the 2020 worst (beats 72%).

Of its engines, the 1.6 Diesel does best (beats 92%) and the 1.5 Hybrid worst (beats 72%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, brakes.

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%345678910111213141589%89%85%82%78%72%69%
MINI CountrymanTypical 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 92%
2011
Beats 89%
2012
Beats 91%
2013
Beats 89%
2014
Beats 92%
2015
Beats 91%
2016
Beats 89%
2017
Beats 86%
2018
Beats 75%
2019
Beats 73%
2020
Beats 72%
2021
Beats 74%
2022
Beats 71%
2023
Beats 76%

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 Petrol2010–2017218,89982.8%Beats 91%A
1.5 Petrol2017–2023148,60888.5%Beats 73%B
2.0 Diesel2011–2019145,73782.9%Beats 88%A
1.6 Diesel2010–2017132,87679.7%Beats 92%A
2.0 Petrol2017–202377,51489.1%Beats 82%A
1.5 Hybrid2017–201923,41285.9%Beats 72%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: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.1% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% 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: 2.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.1% 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+1.8 ptsTyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% 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: 2.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% 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+2.1 ptsSuspension: 1.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% 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+3.7 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% 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+0.5 ptsSuspension: 1.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% 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: 2.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% 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: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.1% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.1% 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+1.8 ptsTyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% 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: 2.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% 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+2.1 ptsSuspension: 1.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% 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+3.7 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% 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+0.5 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% 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
5.7% vs 5.7%
Lights & electrics
5.3% vs 7.1%
Visibility
2.9% vs 3.8%
Brakes
2.2% vs 4.2%
Suspension
1.5% vs 5.2%
Emissions & leaks
1.1% vs 1.6%
Body & structure
0.5% vs 1.6%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.5%
Steering
0.1% vs 1.0%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • 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.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%89%86%81%75%71%68%66%
MINI CountrymanTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.9%3.3%1.2×
Headlight aim2.3%2.2%1.1×
Windscreen wipers1.6%2.0%0.8×
Sidelights1.6%1.3%1.2×
Tyre tread depth1.5%2.1%0.7×
Brake pads1.2%1.8%0.7×
Windscreen washers1.2%1.6%0.7×
Number plate lights0.5%0.8%0.7×
Engine warning light0.5%0.7%0.8×
Headlight bulbs & units0.5%1.2%0.4×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged25.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements23.0
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen15.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements15.1
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning14.1
A tyre cords visible or damaged11.7
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen11.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.9
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 MINI Countryman2 engines91.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol2,75291.0%Beats 70%B
2.0 Petrol1,50891.9%Beats 85%A
2022 MINI Countryman2 engines91.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol9,77091.1%Beats 72%B
2.0 Petrol3,96690.8%Beats 69%B
2021 MINI Countryman2 engines90.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol13,95389.9%Beats 69%B
2.0 Petrol6,86291.0%Beats 83%A
2020 MINI Countryman2 engines89.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol20,26989.4%Beats 70%B
2.0 Petrol9,96989.8%Beats 75%B
2019 MINI Countryman4 engines88.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol38,12488.5%Beats 71%B
2.0 Petrol20,82088.8%Beats 78%B
1.5 Hybrid4,66085.9%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel4,40587.0%Beats 76%B
2018 MINI Countryman4 engines87.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol36,03887.3%Beats 72%B
2.0 Petrol17,70388.7%Beats 85%A
2.0 Diesel14,67585.9%Beats 72%B
1.5 Hybrid12,58285.7%Beats 71%B
2017 MINI Countryman6 engines87.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol27,70287.3%Beats 81%A
2.0 Diesel19,63987.2%Beats 91%A
2.0 Petrol16,68688.1%Beats 87%A
1.5 Hybrid6,17086.3%Beats 80%B
1.6 Petrol2,99787.5%Beats 86%A
1.6 Diesel1,05787.9%Beats 94%A
2016 MINI Countryman3 engines86.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol39,91687.8%Beats 91%A
1.6 Diesel16,60685.7%Beats 90%A
2.0 Diesel15,50485.0%Beats 82%A
2015 MINI Countryman3 engines85.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol39,26586.9%Beats 94%A
2.0 Diesel24,62284.4%Beats 87%A
1.6 Diesel17,63284.3%Beats 91%A
2014 MINI Countryman3 engines83.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol54,10084.5%Beats 93%A
2.0 Diesel31,09082.5%Beats 91%A
1.6 Diesel28,33782.0%Beats 92%A
2013 MINI Countryman3 engines80.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol10,71081.3%Beats 89%A
1.6 Diesel8,07279.7%Beats 92%A
2.0 Diesel7,00078.6%Beats 84%A
2012 MINI Countryman3 engines77.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol24,45578.2%Beats 88%A
1.6 Diesel23,30477.2%Beats 93%A
2.0 Diesel15,23877.8%Beats 92%A
2011 MINI Countryman3 engines75.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol39,70275.7%Beats 87%A
1.6 Diesel32,81274.6%Beats 91%A
2.0 Diesel13,56475.8%Beats 91%A
2010 MINI Countryman2 engines74.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol7,75474.8%Beats 90%A
1.6 Diesel5,05674.7%Beats 94%A

FAQ

What is the MINI Countryman MOT pass rate?

84.1% of MOT tests on the MINI Countryman were passed first time, based on 747,046 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2010–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 78.4% of the time.

Is the MINI Countryman reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 87% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which MINI Countryman year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 Countryman does best for its age and mileage: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 2020 does worst: it beats 72%.

Which MINI Countryman engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.6 Diesel does best: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Hybrid does worst: it beats 72%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, 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.