Mini Cooper S Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mini Cooper S Auto car check
Is the Mini Cooper S Auto reliable? We analysed 10,031 real MOT tests across 928 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mini Cooper S Auto? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mini Cooper S Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include registration plate lamp not working, tyre has ply or cords exposed and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mini Cooper S Auto.
Mini Cooper S Auto Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mini Cooper S Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mini Cooper S Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mini Cooper S Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mini Cooper S Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mini Cooper S Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mini Cooper S Auto Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mini Cooper S Auto models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mini Cooper S Auto Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mini Cooper S Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mini Cooper S Auto MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mini Cooper S Auto year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 107 | 91.6% | 16,381 | 35,458 | 50,499 |
| 2013 | 4,386 | 84.4% | 21,901 | 36,186 | 53,197 |
| 2012 | 2,567 | 84.9% | 21,006 | 34,809 | 52,566 |
| 2011 | 628 | 79.9% | 25,855 | 42,599 | 67,162 |
| 2010 | 319 | 84.6% | 26,868 | 43,460 | 61,062 |
| 2009 | 197 | 84.8% | 20,137 | 36,636 | 53,713 |
| 2008 | 654 | 79.4% | 22,583 | 41,652 | 66,207 |
| 2007 | 862 | 80.3% | 25,629 | 46,508 | 70,816 |
How Long Does a Mini Cooper S Auto Last?
Based on 928 Mini Cooper S Auto vehicles on UK roads.
Mini Cooper S Auto Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mini Cooper S Auto 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 Mini Cooper S Auto
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.6% MOT pass rate from 107 tests
79.4% MOT pass rate from 654 tests
The best year to buy a used Mini Cooper S Auto is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.6% across 107 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mini Cooper S Auto Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Cooper S Auto THIS CAR | 83.9% | 10,031 | 37,397 mi | 19 yrs |
| Mini Mini | 74.2% | 7,810,223 | 64,567 mi | 25 yrs |
| Mini Cooper | 86.5% | 1,705,479 | 35,896 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mini Countryman | 88% | 669,227 | 37,710 mi | 15 yrs |
| Yamaha FZR600 | 77.3% | 14,305 | 28,920 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Mini Mini (74.2% pass rate) and the Mini Cooper (86.5% pass rate), the Mini Cooper S Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Mini Cooper S Auto 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 Mini Cooper S AutoShould you buy a used Mini Cooper S Auto?
The Mini Cooper S Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 10,031 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mini Cooper S Auto are registration plate lamp not working (38 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (38), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (36). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mini Cooper S Auto with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mini Cooper S Auto owner drives around 3,685 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 Mini Cooper S Auto models stay on UK roads for around 19 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.