2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 MINI Cooper S MOT pass rate and common faults

134 MOT tests in 2024. 64.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time64.9%
Failed or needed repairs35.1%
Typical mileage at test100,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 134 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working6.7%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.5%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.7%
  4. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.7%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.0%
  6. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine2.2%
  7. Wheel bearings: rough when rotated2.2%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.2%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics23.9%
  2. Brakes19.4%
  3. Suspension10.4%
  4. Body & chassis9.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.0%
  6. Steering6.7%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  8. Tyres5.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine38.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.7%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases11.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.2%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 MINI Cooper S?

In 2024, 64.9% of 2004 MINI Cooper S cars passed their MOT first time, across 134 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 MINI Cooper S?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 MINI Cooper S reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).