2012 Mini Cooper Sd Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 795 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Mini Cooper Sd Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres. Its pass rate of 82.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (79.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.2% in the 90-120k group versus 6.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 72 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.9% | 39 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.6% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 23 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.3% | 10 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Wipers | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 18 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 17 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 15 |
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 | 25.4% | 202 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.5% | 139 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.1% | 120 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 74 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.3% | 58 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 31 |
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 | 33 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 256 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 309 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 174 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 157 | 16.6% |
| 2022 | 159 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 159 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 163 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 157 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Cooper Sd Auto
Before buying a 2012 Mini Cooper Sd Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.9% 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.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
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 2012 Mini Cooper Sd Autos pass their MOT?
82.9% of the 795 2012 Mini Cooper Sd Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mini Cooper Sd Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (4.9%).
Does the 2012 Cooper Sd Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 17.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 795 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.