MOT failure data · 2025

Rover Mini MOT problems

Across every Rover Mini that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, on 4.56% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 23.49%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Rover Mini MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Steering	4.56%
2	Service brake imbalance across an axle	Brakes	3.17%
3	Non catalyst emissions emissions carbon monoxide content excessive	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.98%
4	Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.76%
5	Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	Suspension	2.73%
6	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	2.62%
7	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	2.37%
8	Headlamp aim too high	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	2.24%
9	Position lamp not working	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	2.18%
10	Catalyst emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.18%

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 Rover 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 Rover Mini buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Rover Mini?

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

Other Rover models

Rover Mini MOT FAQs

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

The single most recorded defect on Rover Mini cars failing their 2025 MOT was "steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt", appearing on 4.56% of failure items.

Does this mean my Rover Mini will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Rover Mini that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Rover Mini passed 75.7% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Rover 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.