2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,810 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 112 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.8% | 69 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 21 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 61 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 3 | Washers | 19 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 5 | Attachment | 5 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 5 |
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 | 25.3% | 457 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.0% | 90 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 79 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 1.6% | 28 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 25 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 9 |
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 | 1,448 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 355 | 9.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 55 | 5.5% |
| 2024 | 868 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 887 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Cooper S Electric Level 1
Before buying a 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.2% 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 (3.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1s pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 1,810 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by visibility (3.8%).
Does the 2021 Cooper S Electric Level 1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 9.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,810 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.