Mini Cooper common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mini Cooper at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 209,797 UK MOT tests of the Mini Cooper in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is catalyst emissions (carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2007–2009 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 14× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: wheels (slightly distorted) (3.3×); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.3×); malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction) (3.1×). The most common reasons a Mini Cooper fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); position lamp (not working); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mini Cooper
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mini Cooper than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | MOT fail | 2007–2009 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 8.2% | 0.6% | 14× | 475 |
| Wheels (condition): slightly distorted | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.3% | 1% | 3.3× | 5,994 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.8% | 2.1% | 2.3× | 38,755 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.3% | 1.4% | 3.1× | 1,058 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3% | 1.5% | 2× | 25,733 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 12% | 4.1% | 2.9× | 809 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 27% | 9.9% | 2.7× | 584 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.9% | 2.6% | 2.7× | 678 |
Mini Cooper by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 23,645 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (9.2%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (3.2%, 1.8×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 44,064 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (4.7%, 2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 16,284 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (4.2%, 2.1×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,691 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (7.9%, 1.6×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 875 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (7.4%, 2.1×) |
Mini Cooper by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 443 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.8×) |
| 2007 | 929 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.8×) |
| 2008 | 780 | Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (14×) |
| 2009 | 940 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.9×) |
| 2010 | 1,335 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.5×) |
| 2011 | 2,476 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (1.9×) |
| 2012 | 7,122 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.3×) |
| 2013 | 12,204 | Position lamp: not working at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (1.8×) |
| 2014 | 19,226 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (1.8×) |
| 2015 | 26,213 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.8×) |
| 2016 | 26,882 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.1×) |
| 2017 | 28,005 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.3×) |
| 2018 | 30,783 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.1×) |
| 2019 | 30,031 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2×) |
| 2020 | 20,035 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.5×) |
| 2021 | 1,128 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.7×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Mini Cooper?
In 209,797 UK MOT tests of the Mini Cooper in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is catalyst emissions (carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2007–2009 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 14× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: wheels (slightly distorted) (3.3×); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.3×); malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction) (3.1×). The most common reasons a Mini Cooper fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); position lamp (not working); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords).
Why do Mini Coopers fail the MOT?
Across 209,797 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mini Cooper were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.4% of tests); position lamp (not working) (5.4% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Mini Cooper problems start?
The clearest Mini Cooper-specific issue, catalyst emissions (carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits), peaks against other cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) on 2007–2009 cars (8.2% of tests vs 0.6% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mini Cooper data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 209,797 tests of the Mini Cooper. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.