Mini Cooper S common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mini Cooper S at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 80,906 UK MOT tests of the Mini Cooper S in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is wheels (slightly distorted): recorded on 5.8% of tests of 2012–2014 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 6.4× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.9×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (3.2×); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2×). The most common reasons a Mini Cooper S fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mini Cooper S
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mini Cooper S 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels (condition): slightly distorted | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5.8% | 0.9% | 6.4× | 1,167 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.2% | 1.1% | 2.9× | 627 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 18% | 5.5% | 3.2× | 300 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.3% | 2.1% | 2× | 5,157 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.7% | 2.1% | 1.8× | 13,245 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.2% | 1.8% | 1.8× | 9,931 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.3% | 2% | 2.2× | 1,484 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.5% | 2.6% | 1.7× | 575 |
Mini Cooper S by mileage (2018–2020 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) | 17,596 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (7.8%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3.2%, 1.9×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 18,759 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3,921 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (4.1%, 1.7×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 576 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | — |
Mini Cooper S by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 283 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.2×) |
| 2011 | 419 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.2×) |
| 2012 | 1,391 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.2×) |
| 2013 | 2,834 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6.4×) |
| 2014 | 5,540 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.4×) |
| 2015 | 7,777 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.7×) |
| 2016 | 9,244 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.6×) |
| 2017 | 9,699 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.8×) |
| 2018 | 9,756 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (1.8×) |
| 2019 | 16,801 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (1.9×) |
| 2020 | 14,430 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (1.9×) |
| 2021 | 1,021 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.1×) |
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 S?
In 80,906 UK MOT tests of the Mini Cooper S in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is wheels (slightly distorted): recorded on 5.8% of tests of 2012–2014 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 6.4× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.9×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (3.2×); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2×). The most common reasons a Mini Cooper S fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Why do Mini Cooper Ss fail the MOT?
Across 80,906 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mini Cooper S were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.7% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (2.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Mini Cooper S problems start?
The clearest Mini Cooper S-specific issue, wheels (slightly distorted), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2012–2014 cars (5.8% of tests vs 0.9% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mini Cooper S data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 80,906 tests of the Mini Cooper S. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.