1990 · 34 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1990 Rover MINI MOT pass rate and common faults

948 MOT tests in 2024. 71.9% passed first time, compared with 72.0% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time71.9%
Failed or needed repairs28.1%
Typical mileage at test52,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 948 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive7.6%
  2. Rear fog lamp: not working2.5%
  3. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.3%
  4. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
  5. Headlamp: not working on main beam2.1%
  6. Non catalyst emissions: emissions hydrocarbon content excessive1.9%
  7. Position lamp: not working1.9%
  8. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.9%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8%
  10. Individual direction indicators: not working1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics27.7%
  2. Brakes14.3%
  3. Suspension12.6%
  4. Emissions & leaks12.4%
  5. Body & chassis9.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.0%
  7. Steering4.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.7%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play7.5%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.7%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All MINI years1991 MINI →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 Rover MINI?

In 2024, 71.9% of 1990 Rover MINI cars passed their MOT first time, across 948 tests. The average for all 34-year-old cars was 72.0%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1990 Rover MINI?

The most common failure reasons were non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive; rear fog lamp: not working; service brake imbalance: across an axle. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1990 Rover MINI reliable at MOT time?

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