2012 Mini Cooper D — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,071 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Mini Cooper D, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension. Its pass rate of 82.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (79.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 19.7% in the 150k+ group versus 10.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 1,326 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.0% | 665 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.8% | 536 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.3% | 479 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 469 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 100 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 629 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 521 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 334 |
| 4 | Wipers | 298 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 294 |
| 6 | Washers | 217 |
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 | 27.4% | 3,034 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.2% | 2,569 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.2% | 2,018 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 1,112 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.4% | 933 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 711 |
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 | 184 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,969 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 4,383 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,220 | 20.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,050 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 264 | 19.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,019 | 17.6% |
| Petrol | 52 | 19.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,254 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 2,248 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 2,249 | 17.8% |
| 2024 | 2,219 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 2,101 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Cooper D
Before buying a 2012 Mini Cooper D, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.0% 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.
- Suspension (4.8% 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 2012 Mini Cooper Ds pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 11,071 2012 Mini Cooper D MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mini Cooper D?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by tyres (6.0%).
Does the 2012 Cooper D get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 19.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,071 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.