MOT failure data · 2025

MINI Mini MOT problems

Across every MINI Mini that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was position lamp not working, on 7.38% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 25.7%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common MINI Mini MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Position lamp not working	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	7.38%
2	Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	4.11%
3	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	3.65%
4	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	3.3%
5	Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.98%
6	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.71%
7	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.47%
8	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	2.42%
9	Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded	Brakes	2.28%
10	Catalyst emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.24%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a MINI Mini, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used MINI Mini buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific MINI Mini?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other MINI models

MINI Mini MOT FAQs

What does a MINI Mini most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on MINI Mini cars failing their 2025 MOT was "position lamp not working", appearing on 7.38% of failure items.

Does this mean my MINI Mini will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every MINI Mini that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The MINI Mini passed 70% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific MINI Mini's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.