2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 MINI Cooper MOT pass rate and common faults

290 MOT tests in 2024. 53.8% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time53.8%
Failed or needed repairs46.2%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 290 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play9.7%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.9%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits5.2%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.8%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.5%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.1%
  7. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.4%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.4%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    20 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics34.5%
  2. Brakes20.7%
  3. Suspension18.6%
  4. Body & chassis15.5%
  5. Steering13.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks13.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.3%
  8. Tyres7.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine38.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded26.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.9%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. 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?

In 2024, 53.8% of 2004 MINI Cooper cars passed their MOT first time, across 290 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

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

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 MINI Cooper reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).