2015 MINI Challenge — MOT failures & pass rate
1,107 MOT tests on the 2015 MINI Challenge are in this dataset, and 88.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 16.3% of the time, so this is 4.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.0% 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 9.6% in the 0-30k band and 17.2% in the 90-120k band, a 7.6-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.9% in 2021 to 10.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.0% | 78 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 23 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 17 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 15 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 15 |
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 |
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 | 16.8% | 186 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 112 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 67 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 61 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 3.8% | 42 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.4% | 27 |
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 | 135 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 616 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 289 | 9.7% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 238 | 13.9% |
| 2022 | 223 | 9.9% |
| 2023 | 211 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 224 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 211 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Challenge
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.0% 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
How many 2015 MINI Challenges pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 1,107 2015 MINI Challenge MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 MINI Challenge?
Tyres, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by brakes (2.1%).
Does the 2015 Challenge get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 17.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,107 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.