Mini Countryman common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mini Countryman at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 87,945 UK MOT tests of the Mini Countryman in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect): recorded on 3.2% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 5.3× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.1×); position lamp (not working) (3×); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.1×). The most common reasons a Mini Countryman 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); position lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mini Countryman
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mini Countryman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2018–2020 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.2% | 0.6% | 5.3× | 1,044 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.4% | 1.6% | 2.1× | 9,680 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.8% | 2.3% | 3× | 414 |
| 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) | 4.4% | 2.1% | 2.1× | 3,529 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 5.2% | 2.3% | 2.3× | 402 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.3% | 2.5% | 1.7× | 936 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.1% | 4% | 1.5× | 2,058 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.1% | 2% | 1.6× | 1,135 |
Mini Countryman 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) | 7,746 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (12%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 19,108 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 9,178 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 2,288 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | — |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 435 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | — |
Mini Countryman by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 366 | Position lamp: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3×) |
| 2011 | 2,914 | Position lamp: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.5×) |
| 2012 | 2,606 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.3×) |
| 2013 | 2,789 | Nothing stands out |
| 2014 | 12,972 | Nothing stands out |
| 2015 | 9,230 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (1.6×) |
| 2016 | 9,261 | Nothing stands out |
| 2017 | 10,944 | Nothing stands out |
| 2018 | 13,848 | Nothing stands out |
| 2019 | 14,115 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.3×) |
| 2020 | 8,395 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.1×) |
| 2021 | 474 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
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 Countryman?
In 87,945 UK MOT tests of the Mini Countryman in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect): recorded on 3.2% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 5.3× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.1×); position lamp (not working) (3×); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.1×). The most common reasons a Mini Countryman 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); position lamp (not working).
Why do Mini Countrymans fail the MOT?
Across 87,945 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mini Countryman were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.1% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.4% of tests); position lamp (not working) (5% of tests).
At what mileage do Mini Countryman problems start?
The clearest Mini Countryman-specific issue, headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2018–2020 cars (3.2% of tests vs 0.6% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mini Countryman data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 87,945 tests of the Mini Countryman. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.