2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 MINI Cooper MOT pass rate and common faults

349 MOT tests in 2024. 55.0% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time55.0%
Failed or needed repairs45.0%
Typical mileage at test96,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 349 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.7%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.7%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.2%
  5. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.6%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
    11 marked dangerous
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics29.5%
  2. Suspension24.4%
  3. Brakes22.3%
  4. Body & chassis14.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.7%
  6. Tyres7.4%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.2%
  8. Steering6.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded30.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine26.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.0%

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: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. 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 2005 MINI Cooper?

In 2024, 55.0% of 2005 MINI Cooper cars passed their MOT first time, across 349 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 MINI Cooper?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 MINI Cooper reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).