2013 Mini Cooper S Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,910 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Mini Cooper S Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility. Its pass rate of 87.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (80.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.2% in the 90-120k group versus 6.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 151 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.5% | 104 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.0% | 76 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.3% | 44 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.7% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 16 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Wipers | 46 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 37 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 33 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 33 |
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 | 20.3% | 388 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 308 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 186 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 128 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 126 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 6.5% | 125 |
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 | 373 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 974 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 490 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 66 | 21.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 374 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 395 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 381 | 12.3% |
| 2024 | 377 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 383 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Cooper S Auto
Before buying a 2013 Mini Cooper S Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- Visibility (4.0% 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 2013 Mini Cooper S Autos pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 1,910 2013 Mini Cooper S Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mini Cooper S Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by tyres (5.5%).
Does the 2013 Cooper S Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,910 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.