Austin Mini 25 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Austin Mini 25 appears in 394 MOT tests spanning model years 1984–1985, and 77.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 19.7% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.7% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are non catalyst emissions, service brake performance and headlamp aim — non catalyst emissions alone was recorded 36 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 0-30k band and 25.2% in the 60-90k band, a 8.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.5% in 2021 to 20.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Mini 25 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 381 | 77.7% | 22.3% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 32 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 31 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 22 |
| 7 | Steering | 3.3% | 13 |
| 8 | Other defects | 1.5% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non catalyst emissions | 36 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 29 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 18 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 17 |
| 6 | Washers | 14 |
| 7 | Wipers | 14 |
| 8 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 27.4% | 108 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 67 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 61 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.2% | 40 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.9% | 31 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.6% | 30 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 104 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 111 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 151 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 88 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 98 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 75 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 35 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a Austin Mini 25
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Austin Mini 25?
77.9% of the 394 Austin Mini 25 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 22.1% fail rate, across model years 1984–1985.
What does the Austin Mini 25 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, then suspension (8.6%).
How much does mileage affect Mini 25 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 16.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 25.2% for 60-90k, a 8.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 394 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.