2004 Mini Cooper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,343 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mini Cooper, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.3% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.0% in the 150k+ group versus 18.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 415 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.1% | 283 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 266 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 214 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 161 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 140 |
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 | 256 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 170 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 142 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 126 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 113 |
| 6 | Joints | 109 |
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 | 51.0% | 1,196 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 37.6% | 882 |
| 3 | Suspension | 33.8% | 792 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.9% | 631 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 434 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.2% | 333 |
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 | 48 | 18.8% |
| 30-60k | 219 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 570 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 883 | 32.7% |
| 120-150k | 512 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 465 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 524 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 469 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 473 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 412 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cooper
Before buying a 2004 Mini Cooper, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.1% 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.
- Brakes (11.3% 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.
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 Coopers pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 2,343 2004 Mini Cooper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mini Cooper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.1%).
Does the 2004 Cooper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 0-30k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,343 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.