Austin Morris Mini 850 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin Morris Mini 850 car check
Is the Austin Morris Mini 850 reliable? We analysed 1,217 real MOT tests across 178 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin Morris Mini 850? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin Morris Mini 850 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Morris Mini 850.
Austin Morris Mini 850 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin Morris Mini 850. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin Morris Mini 850 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin Morris Mini 850 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin Morris Mini 850 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin Morris Mini 850 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin Morris Mini 850 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin Morris Mini 850 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin Morris Mini 850 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Morris Mini 850 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 88 | 73.9% | 28,825 | 59,057 | 73,484 |
| 1979 | 942 | 69.4% | 39,390 | 59,640 | 78,664 |
| 1978 | 157 | 61.1% | 24,433 | 48,176 | 64,589 |
How Long Does a Austin Morris Mini 850 Last?
Based on 178 Austin Morris Mini 850 vehicles on UK roads.
Austin Morris Mini 850 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin Morris Mini 850 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Morris Mini 850
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.9% MOT pass rate from 88 tests
61.1% MOT pass rate from 157 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin Morris Mini 850 is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.9% across 88 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Austin Morris Mini 850 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Morris Mini 850 THIS CAR | 68.9% | 1,217 | 58,947 mi | 48 yrs |
| Austin Morris Mini 1000 | 66.8% | 9,311 | 55,689 mi | 48 yrs |
| Austin Morris Mini Clubman | 68.1% | 7,434 | 52,622 mi | 48 yrs |
| Austin Morris Mini Hl | 65.3% | 6,447 | 53,728 mi | 46 yrs |
| Ktm 1090 Adventure 18 | 92.3% | 717 | 9,770 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Austin Morris Mini 1000 (66.8% pass rate) and the Austin Morris Mini Clubman (68.1% pass rate), the Austin Morris Mini 850 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin Morris Mini 850 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Austin Morris Mini 850Should you buy a used Austin Morris Mini 850?
The Austin Morris Mini 850 has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.9% across 1,217 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Austin Morris Mini 850 are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (101 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (69), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (59). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Austin Morris Mini 850 owner drives around 343 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Austin Morris Mini 850 models stay on UK roads for around 48 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.