2008 MINI Clubman — MOT failures & pass rate
571 MOT tests on the 2008 MINI Clubman are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 26.6%, so the 2008 Clubman sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.7% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 98 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.4% in the 30-60k band and 36.1% in the 120-150k band, a 18.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 78 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 53 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 38 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 33 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 98 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 4 | Wipers | 27 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 18 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.0% | 177 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.8% | 176 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 144 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 118 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 97 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.5% | 60 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 69 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 227 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 61 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 398 | 27.1% |
| Diesel | 173 | 24.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 113 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 111 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 135 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 122 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Clubman
On a 2008 Clubman, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (9.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (8.1% 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.
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 2008 MINI Clubmans pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 571 2008 MINI Clubman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 MINI Clubman?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (9.3%).
Does the 2008 Clubman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 30-60k band to 36.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 571 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.