2007 Mini Cooper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,147 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mini Cooper, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.2% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (72.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.7% in the 150k+ group versus 14.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 803 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 620 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.7% | 446 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.6% | 342 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.1% | 262 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 234 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 978 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 528 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 357 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 203 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 158 |
| 6 | Wipers | 158 |
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 | 27.7% | 1,428 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.0% | 1,390 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.0% | 1,336 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.8% | 1,275 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 869 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.7% | 552 |
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 | 75 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 722 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,840 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,785 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 609 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 113 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,653 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 494 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,026 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 1,106 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 1,044 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 1,090 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 881 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Cooper
Before buying a 2007 Mini Cooper, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (12.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 Coopers pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 5,147 2007 Mini Cooper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mini Cooper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (12.0%).
Does the 2007 Cooper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,147 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.