2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 MINI Cooper S MOT pass rate and common faults

9,697 MOT tests in 2024. 87.6% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time87.6%
Failed or needed repairs12.4%
Typical mileage at test35,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 9,697 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.6%
    190 marked dangerous
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    210 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
    92 marked dangerous
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
    103 marked dangerous
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.6%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    57 marked dangerous
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.0%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.2%
  3. Lights & electrics1.8%
  4. Brakes1.8%
  5. Suspension0.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.4%
  7. Wheels0.3%
  8. Body & chassis0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.2%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.6%

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: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. 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 2018 MINI Cooper S?

In 2024, 87.6% of 2018 MINI Cooper S cars passed their MOT first time, across 9,697 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 MINI Cooper S?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 MINI Cooper S reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).