MINI reliability and common MOT problems by model
MINI shows a 15.9% combined MOT failure rate across 917,067 tests in MOTIntel data. Countryman has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 9.1%. MINI deserves extra checking at 23.9%.
Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.
MINI combined failure rate: 15.9% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #13 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
Countryman (9.1%), Cooper (10.0%), Cooper S (10.1%), John Cooper Works (10.7%), Paceman (10.7%)
MINI (23.9%), Cooper D (18.6%), Mini R60 (15.5%), One (12.4%), Clubman (11.7%)
Most reliable MINI models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MINI Countryman | 9.1% | 91,469 tests | 79,197 vehicles |
| 2 | MINI Cooper | 10.0% | 220,171 tests | 191,670 vehicles |
| 3 | MINI Cooper S | 10.1% | 84,875 tests | 73,362 vehicles |
| 4 | MINI John Cooper Works | 10.7% | 19,197 tests | 16,166 vehicles |
| 5 | MINI Paceman | 10.7% | 8,914 tests | 7,595 vehicles |
MINI models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MINI MINI | 23.9% | 364,542 tests | 272,902 vehicles |
| 2 | MINI Cooper D | 18.6% | 7,814 tests | 6,231 vehicles |
| 3 | MINI Mini R60 | 15.5% | 15,173 tests | 12,346 vehicles |
| 4 | MINI One | 12.4% | 54,666 tests | 46,592 vehicles |
| 5 | MINI Clubman | 11.7% | 29,148 tests | 25,007 vehicles |
Common MINI MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corrosion and structure | 210,856 MOT notes | 10 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | MINI MINI, MINI Cooper D, MINI Mini R60 |
| 2 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 111,371 MOT notes | 10 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | MINI MINI, MINI Mini R60, MINI One |
| 3 | Lights and electrical | 99,059 MOT notes | 10 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | MINI MINI, MINI Cooper D, MINI Mini R60 |
| 4 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 79,954 MOT notes | 10 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | MINI Cooper D, MINI MINI, MINI One |
| 5 | Suspension and steering | 55,318 MOT notes | 10 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | MINI MINI, MINI Cooper D, MINI Mini R60 |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 16,240 MOT notes | 10 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | MINI Paceman, MINI Countryman, MINI Clubman |
All MINI model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI | 364,542 | 272,902 | 23.9% |
| Cooper | 220,171 | 191,670 | 10.0% |
| Countryman | 91,469 | 79,197 | 9.1% |
| Cooper S | 84,875 | 73,362 | 10.1% |
| One | 54,666 | 46,592 | 12.4% |
| Clubman | 29,148 | 25,007 | 11.7% |
| John Cooper Works | 19,197 | 16,166 | 10.7% |
| Mini R60 | 15,173 | 12,346 | 15.5% |
| Paceman | 8,914 | 7,595 | 10.7% |
| Cooper D | 7,814 | 6,231 | 18.6% |
| Mini R57 limited data | 3,434 | 2,684 | 18.8% |
| Roadster limited data | 3,093 | 2,613 | 12.9% |
| Cooper Sd limited data | 2,684 | 2,135 | 17.7% |
| Mini R58 limited data | 2,406 | 1,948 | 16.9% |
| First limited data | 1,887 | 1,565 | 14.7% |
| Cooper S Electric Level 3 limited data | 1,730 | 1,528 | 8.1% |
| Cooper Auto limited data | 1,689 | 1,409 | 13.4% |
| Cooper S Electric Level 2 limited data | 1,585 | 1,399 | 7.5% |
| Unclassified limited data | 1,439 | 1,209 | 13.3% |
| One Auto limited data | 1,151 | 967 | 13.4% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.