Mini Mini Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mini Mini car check
Is the Mini Mini reliable? We analysed 7,810,223 real MOT tests across 431,433 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mini Mini? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mini Mini is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mini Mini.
Mini Mini — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Mini Mini — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 1598cc
- Power
- 115 BHP
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Car
- Common colour
- Blue
- Wheel plan
- 2 Axle Rigid Body
Fuel Economy
- Combined
- 41.5 mpg
- Urban
- 31.0 mpg
- Extra-urban
- 52.3 mpg
- Fuel cost / 12k mi
- £2198
Tax & Emissions
- CO2 output
- 166 g/km Band H
- Emission class
- Not Available
- Road tax (12 mo.)
- £235
- Road tax (6 mo.)
- £129.25
Mini Mini Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mini Mini. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mini Mini MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mini Mini to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mini Mini Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mini Mini fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mini Mini Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mini Mini models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mini Mini Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mini Mini owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mini Mini MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mini Mini year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 64 | 82.8% | 21,895 | 35,461 | 47,556 |
| 2017 | 104 | 93.3% | 22,982 | 38,833 | 54,406 |
| 2016 | 194 | 83.5% | 29,964 | 48,104 | 65,226 |
| 2015 | 191 | 87.4% | 33,470 | 46,325 | 67,616 |
| 2014 | 6,460 | 86.8% | 29,809 | 46,793 | 66,832 |
| 2013 | 249,818 | 84.0% | 33,515 | 51,922 | 74,228 |
| 2012 | 323,202 | 82.3% | 33,426 | 52,460 | 75,240 |
| 2011 | 432,215 | 79.8% | 34,908 | 55,184 | 78,894 |
| 2010 | 566,025 | 79.4% | 35,660 | 57,006 | 80,982 |
| 2009 | 595,963 | 77.6% | 37,527 | 59,858 | 84,284 |
| 2008 | 652,720 | 75.8% | 40,269 | 63,589 | 88,663 |
| 2007 | 788,638 | 74.3% | 39,649 | 62,689 | 86,809 |
| 2006 | 690,539 | 73.7% | 40,665 | 64,648 | 89,861 |
| 2005 | 855,675 | 72.8% | 42,204 | 67,106 | 93,110 |
| 2004 | 862,008 | 72.0% | 44,211 | 69,932 | 96,401 |
| 2003 | 829,875 | 69.7% | 46,583 | 72,289 | 98,822 |
| 2002 | 711,630 | 68.1% | 49,525 | 74,251 | 100,163 |
| 2001 | 226,602 | 66.1% | 52,861 | 76,972 | 102,099 |
| 2000 | 90 | 72.2% | 43,274 | 60,459 | 95,976 |
| 1999 | 118 | 73.7% | 22,152 | 53,270 | 75,073 |
How Long Does a Mini Mini Last?
Based on 431,433 Mini Mini vehicles on UK roads.
Mini Mini Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mini Mini 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 Mini
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.3% MOT pass rate from 104 tests
64.4% MOT pass rate from 118 tests
The best year to buy a used Mini Mini is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.3% across 104 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mini Mini Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Mini THIS CAR | 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 |
| Mini Cooper S | 86.7% | 632,556 | 34,288 mi | 23 yrs |
| Kia Sportage | 80.4% | 2,634,551 | 53,679 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Mini Cooper (86.5% pass rate) and the Mini Countryman (88.0% pass rate), the Mini Mini trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mini Mini 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 MiniShould you buy a used Mini Mini?
The Mini Mini has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.2% across 7,810,223 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mini Mini are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (171,748 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (121,398), and brake pipe excessively corroded (109,160). 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 Mini 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 Mini owner drives around 4,948 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 Mini models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.