2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,772 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 3, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.3% 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 | 8.4% | 401 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 116 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 100 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.3% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.2% | 9 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 135 |
| 2 | Wipers | 115 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 33 |
| 4 | Washers | 20 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 19 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 7 |
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 | 22.7% | 1,082 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.2% | 151 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 141 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 2.2% | 105 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 36 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 4 |
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 | 4,031 | 9.0% |
| 30-60k | 713 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 55 | 5.5% |
| 2024 | 2,314 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 2,402 | 9.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Cooper S Electric Level 3
Before buying a 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 8.4% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (8.4% 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 (2.4% 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 (2.1% 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 3s pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 4,772 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 3?
Tyres, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2021 Cooper S Electric Level 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.0% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,772 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.