2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 MINI Cooper S MOT pass rate and common faults

399 MOT tests in 2024. 72.4% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time72.4%
Failed or needed repairs27.6%
Typical mileage at test73,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 399 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working8.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
    15 marked dangerous
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    11 marked dangerous
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  7. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed1.3%
  8. Road Wheels - condition: fractured1.3%
    6 marked dangerous
  9. Stop lamp: not working1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics20.6%
  2. Tyres8.3%
  3. Emissions & leaks6.5%
  4. Brakes6.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.8%
  6. Suspension2.0%
  7. Wheels1.8%
  8. Number plates & VIN1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.0%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.0%

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 2011 MINI Cooper S?

In 2024, 72.4% of 2011 MINI Cooper S cars passed their MOT first time, across 399 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 MINI Cooper S?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 MINI Cooper S reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).