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Mini Mini (R58) Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Mini Mini (R58) reliable? We analysed 32,231 real MOT tests across 2,295 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 32,231 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.1%
Typical Mileage
51,002mi
Annual Mileage
4,576mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Mini Mini (R58) is above 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 registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mini Mini (R58).

Mini Mini (R58) Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mini Mini (R58). Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mini Mini (R58) MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mini Mini (R58) to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.7%
2013
83.1%
2012
80.5%
2011
78.9%
2010
78.8%
2009
77.3%
2008
76.5%
2007
75.8%
2006
71.7%
2005
78.4%
2004
64.6%
2002

Mini Mini (R58) Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mini Mini (R58) fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 216
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 189
Registration plate lamp not working 127

Mini Mini (R58) Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Mini Mini (R58) models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 358

Mini Mini (R58) Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mini Mini (R58) owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,573 mi/yr
Typical
4,576 mi/yr
Average
5,613 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,482 mi/yr

Mini Mini (R58) MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mini Mini (R58) year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 770 85.7% 27,308 41,397 58,206
2012 14,301 83.1% 29,894 46,523 66,131
2011 10,977 80.5% 34,901 54,601 76,915
2010 1,799 78.9% 37,281 58,301 78,286
2009 581 78.8% 37,489 62,428 91,363
2008 753 77.3% 36,405 55,165 78,550
2007 1,279 76.5% 34,412 57,696 83,137
2006 902 75.8% 37,148 61,184 88,852
2005 414 71.7% 45,401 68,908 85,815
2004 51 78.4% 51,098 63,099 81,563
2002 144 64.6% 47,518 69,918 90,464

How Long Does a Mini Mini (R58) Last?

Based on 2,295 Mini Mini (R58) vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.9 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Mini Mini (R58) Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mini Mini (R58) MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
51,002 mi
75th Percentile
73,038 mi
95th Percentile
108,308 mi
Max Recorded
557,167 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mini Mini (R58)

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2013

85.7% MOT pass rate from 770 tests

Year to avoid
2002

64.6% MOT pass rate from 144 tests

The best year to buy a used Mini Mini (R58) is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.7% across 770 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.6% — 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 (R58) Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mini Mini (R58) THIS CAR 81.1% 32,231 51,002 mi 20 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
Honda Jazz Ex I-mmd CVT 93.6% 33,704 16,803 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mini Mini (74.2% pass rate) and the Mini Cooper (86.5% pass rate), the Mini Mini (R58) sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mini Mini (R58)?

The Mini Mini (R58) has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.1% across 32,231 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 Mini (R58) are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (216 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (189), and registration plate lamp not working (127). 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 (R58) 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 (R58) owner drives around 4,576 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 (R58) models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.

Mini Mini (R58) — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mini Mini (R58) reliable?
Based on 32,231 MOT tests, the Mini Mini (R58) has a 81.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Mini Mini (R58)?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and registration plate lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mini Mini (R58) do per year?
The typical Mini Mini (R58) does around 4,576 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mini Mini (R58) last?
Most Mini Mini (R58) models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 2,295 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mini Mini (R58)?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mini Mini (R58)?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mini Mini (R58) is 2013 with a 85.7% pass rate across 770 tests.