Austin Mini MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Austin Mini took 3,363 MOT tests in Britain and passed 72% of them first time, close to the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 3,363
- First-time pass rate
- 72%
- All cars
- 71%
What the Mini fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Lights and electrics15.5% (all cars 11.3%)
- Exhaust and emissions9.4% (all cars 3.1%)
- Suspension9.0% (all cars 9.0%)
- Brakes9.0% (all cars 6.8%)
- Body and structure7.2% (all cars 3.5%)
- Visibility6.5% (all cars 4.8%)
- Steering3.8% (all cars 1.8%)
- Tyres1.5% (all cars 6.4%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 7.2%
- Rear fog lamp: not working 3.5%
- Service brake imbalance: across an axle 3.3%
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 2.6%
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements 2.5%
- Headlamp aim: too high 2.4%
- Non catalyst emissions: emissions hydrocarbon content excessive 2.4%
- Washers: not working 2.4%
Most common advisories
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 13.8%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play 6.9%
- Suspension arms, ball joint: ball joint has slight play 4.8%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3.8%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 3.7%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 3.4%
- Suspension arms, pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement 3.1%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 2.9%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 355 | 70% |
| 1986 | 368 | 70% |
| 1987 | 395 | 71% |
| 1988 | 490 | 67% |
| 1989 | 833 | 70% |
Check a particular Mini
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.