MINI Challenge MOT pass rate & common failures
1,117 MOT tests on the MINI Challenge (2015–2016) give it an 88.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 16.3% of the time, so this is 4.7pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests against 2.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 17 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.1% in the 0-30k band and 17.2% in the 90-120k band, a 7.1-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.8% in 2021 to 9.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Challenge model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,107 | 88.3% | 11.7% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.1% | 79 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 23 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 17 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 15 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 8 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 17 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 10 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 8 |
| 7 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 6 |
| 8 | Coil spring | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 16.7% | 186 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 113 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 67 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 61 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 3.8% | 42 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.5% | 28 |
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 | 139 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 621 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 290 | 9.7% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 240 | 13.8% |
| 2022 | 225 | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 214 | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 226 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 212 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a MINI Challenge
- Tyres (7.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.1% 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.
- Visibility (1.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 MINI Challenge?
88.4% of the 1,117 MINI Challenge MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 11.6% fail rate, across model years 2015–2016.
What does the MINI Challenge most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests, then brakes (2.1%).
How much does mileage affect Challenge MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 17.2% for 90-120k, a 7.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,117 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.