2004 Mini Cooper S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 948 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mini Cooper S, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.7% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (70.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.0% 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 | 13.4% | 127 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 92 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 77 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 65 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 57 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 46 |
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 | 72 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 43 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 42 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 41 |
| 5 | Joints | 39 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 41.0% | 389 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.9% | 378 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.3% | 249 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.7% | 215 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 172 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 168 |
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 | 39 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 93 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 238 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 347 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 177 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 54 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 172 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 201 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 195 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 203 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 177 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cooper S
Before buying a 2004 Mini Cooper S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- 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 2004 Mini Cooper Ss pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 948 2004 Mini Cooper S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mini Cooper S?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by brakes (9.7%).
Does the 2004 Cooper S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 948 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.