2006 Mini Cooper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,808 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mini Cooper, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.8% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (71.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 454 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.4% | 265 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.6% | 240 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 219 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 207 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 145 |
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 | 199 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 195 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 178 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 155 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 155 |
| 6 | Joints | 129 |
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 | 40.0% | 1,124 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.6% | 915 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.5% | 801 |
| 4 | Tyres | 28.3% | 794 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 524 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 361 |
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 | 71 | 19.7% |
| 30-60k | 358 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 987 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 963 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 378 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 50 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 543 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 588 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 573 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 601 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 503 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Cooper
Before buying a 2006 Mini Cooper, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.4% 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.
- Brakes (8.6% 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 2006 Mini Coopers pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 2,808 2006 Mini Cooper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mini Cooper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.4%).
Does the 2006 Cooper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,808 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.