2005 Mini Cooper S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,277 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mini Cooper S, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.1% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (71.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.0% in the 150k+ group versus 10.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 189 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 134 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 109 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 97 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 69 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 69 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 94 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 84 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 67 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 51 |
| 5 | Wipers | 50 |
| 6 | Joints | 49 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 45.9% | 586 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 38.8% | 495 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.1% | 333 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.5% | 313 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 196 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 169 |
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 | 37 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 194 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 436 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 415 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 163 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 219 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 263 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 262 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 292 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 241 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Cooper S
Before buying a 2005 Mini Cooper S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.5% 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 (8.5% 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 2005 Mini Cooper Ss pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 1,277 2005 Mini Cooper S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mini Cooper S?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (10.5%).
Does the 2005 Cooper S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,277 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.