Mini Mini common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mini Mini at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 304,975 UK MOT tests of the Mini Mini in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault): recorded on 6.7% of tests of 2000–2002 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 8.4× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: position lamp (not working) (3.6×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (3.5×); headlamp aim (too low) (4.4×). The most common reasons a Mini Mini fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect); srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mini Mini
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mini Mini 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | MOT fail | 2000–2002 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.7% | 0.8% | 8.4× | 727 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.6% | 1% | 3.6× | 6,138 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2004–2006 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 20% | 5.9% | 3.5× | 5,565 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | MOT fail | 2000–2002 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.2% | 1.4% | 4.4× | 727 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2000–2002 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 14% | 3.1% | 4.4× | 590 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | MOT fail | 2004–2006 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.7% | 2.8% | 3.1× | 1,681 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2004–2006 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 27% | 12% | 2.2× | 11,877 |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively | Advisory | 2003–2005 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.6% | 2.5% | 2.2× | 9,204 |
Mini Mini by mileage (2010–2012 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) | 1,032 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (12%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 7,273 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | Position lamp: not working (3.2%, 3.2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 19,094 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Position lamp: not working (5%, 2.3×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 27,945 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Position lamp: not working (6.9%, 1.9×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 23,270 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened (5%, 1.8×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 12,448 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened (6%, 2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 5,071 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened (6.3%, 2×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 1,663 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened (6.4%, 2.1×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 814 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened (7%, 2.7×) |
Mini Mini by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,941 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (8.4×) |
| 2002 | 9,581 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.3×) |
| 2003 | 15,395 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2004 | 21,001 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.5×) |
| 2005 | 25,340 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.7×) |
| 2006 | 23,630 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.9×) |
| 2007 | 29,092 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.2×) |
| 2008 | 28,621 | Position lamp: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.6×) |
| 2009 | 30,863 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.4×) |
| 2010 | 33,939 | Position lamp: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.6×) |
| 2011 | 35,410 | Position lamp: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.2×) |
| 2012 | 29,261 | Position lamp: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.2×) |
| 2013 | 19,957 | Position lamp: not working at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.1×) |
| 2014 | 559 | Position lamp: not working at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.3×) |
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 Mini?
In 304,975 UK MOT tests of the Mini Mini in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault): recorded on 6.7% of tests of 2000–2002 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 8.4× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: position lamp (not working) (3.6×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (3.5×); headlamp aim (too low) (4.4×). The most common reasons a Mini Mini fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect); srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault).
Why do Mini Minis fail the MOT?
Across 304,975 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mini Mini were position lamp (not working) (7.6% of tests); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect) (8.4% of tests); srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault) (8.8% of tests).
At what mileage do Mini Mini problems start?
The clearest Mini Mini-specific issue, srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2000–2002 cars (6.7% of tests vs 0.8% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mini Mini data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 304,975 tests of the Mini Mini. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.