2007 Mini Cooper S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,081 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mini Cooper S, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension. Its pass rate of 77.2% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (72.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.2% in the 150k+ group versus 6.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 283 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 144 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 134 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.4% | 133 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.0% | 103 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 98 |
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 | 159 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 133 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 111 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 64 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 56 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 54 |
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 | 27.1% | 564 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 25.1% | 523 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.8% | 515 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.4% | 467 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 271 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.8% | 204 |
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 | 49 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 270 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 891 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 662 | 26.0% |
| 120-150k | 169 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 416 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 443 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 411 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 419 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 392 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Cooper S
Before buying a 2007 Mini Cooper S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (6.4% 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 2007 Mini Cooper Ss pass their MOT?
77.2% of the 2,081 2007 Mini Cooper S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mini Cooper S?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (6.9%).
Does the 2007 Cooper S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,081 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.