Mini One common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mini One at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 50,854 UK MOT tests of the Mini One in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is catalyst emissions (hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits): recorded on 8.9% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 45× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: catalyst emissions (hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits) (33×); catalyst emissions (carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits) (21×); catalyst emissions (Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits) (7.6×). The most common reasons a Mini One fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); position lamp (not working); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mini One
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mini One 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: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8.9% | 0.2% | 45× | 358 |
| Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.5% | 0.2% | 33× | 356 |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8.4% | 0.4% | 21× | 358 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6.8% | 0.9% | 7.6× | 336 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.3% | 1.9% | 2.3× | 8,302 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 12% | 4.1% | 2.9× | 358 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9.6% | 4.1% | 2.3× | 592 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 14% | 7.3% | 1.9× | 1,907 |
Mini One by mileage (2014–2016 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) | 1,504 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (4.6%, 2.2×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6,994 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (18%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.9%, 2.2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 8,888 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,174 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | — |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,856 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (3%, 1.9×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 522 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | — |
Mini One by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 365 | Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (45×) |
| 2010 | 683 | Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (7.6×) |
| 2011 | 1,227 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.2×) |
| 2012 | 4,661 | Position lamp: not working at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (1.8×) |
| 2013 | 7,553 | Position lamp: not working at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2×) |
| 2014 | 6,285 | Position lamp: not working at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.1×) |
| 2015 | 10,494 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.2×) |
| 2016 | 8,403 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.4×) |
| 2017 | 5,410 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.4×) |
| 2018 | 1,568 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.5×) |
| 2019 | 1,569 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.6×) |
| 2020 | 1,187 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.5×) |
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 One?
In 50,854 UK MOT tests of the Mini One in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is catalyst emissions (hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits): recorded on 8.9% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 45× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: catalyst emissions (hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits) (33×); catalyst emissions (carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits) (21×); catalyst emissions (Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits) (7.6×). The most common reasons a Mini One fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); position lamp (not working); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Why do Mini Ones fail the MOT?
Across 50,854 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mini One were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.6% of tests); position lamp (not working) (4.6% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (2.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Mini One problems start?
The clearest Mini One-specific issue, catalyst emissions (hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2008–2010 cars (8.9% of tests vs 0.2% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mini One data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 50,854 tests of the Mini One. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.