Rover Mini MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Rover Mini took 11,723 MOT tests in Britain and passed 69% 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
- 11,723
- First-time pass rate
- 69%
- 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 electrics14.8% (all cars 11.3%)
- Exhaust and emissions11.1% (all cars 3.1%)
- Suspension9.4% (all cars 9.0%)
- Brakes9.0% (all cars 6.8%)
- Body and structure7.1% (all cars 3.5%)
- Visibility6.9% (all cars 4.8%)
- Steering5.1% (all cars 1.8%)
- Seat belts and airbags1.9% (all cars 1.0%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 3.7%
- Service brake imbalance: across an axle 3.7%
- Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 3.3%
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 2.6%
- Rear fog lamp: not working 2.5%
- Headlamp aim: too high 2.4%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 2.4%
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements 2.4%
Most common advisories
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 12.0%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play 6.6%
- Suspension arms, ball joint: ball joint has slight play 5.7%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 4.7%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 4.0%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 3.8%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 3.7%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened 2.8%
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 356 | 67% |
| 1990 | 1,020 | 68% |
| 1991 | 999 | 69% |
| 1992 | 819 | 68% |
| 1993 | 934 | 68% |
| 1994 | 927 | 66% |
| 1995 | 794 | 69% |
| 1996 | 790 | 67% |
| 1997 | 688 | 68% |
| 1998 | 909 | 71% |
| 1999 | 784 | 70% |
| 2000 | 1,176 | 72% |
| 2001 | 384 | 68% |
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.
Other Rover models
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.