2023 MINI Cooper — MOT failures & pass rate
1,879 MOT tests on the 2023 MINI Cooper are in this dataset, and 96.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 5.0% of the time, so this is 1.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.0%) and visibility (0.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and registration plates — headlamp aim alone was recorded 13 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.0% | 57 |
| 2 | Visibility | 0.6% | 11 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.2% | 4 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 2 |
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 | 13 |
| 2 | Wipers | 8 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 6 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 5 | Washers | 4 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 4 |
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 | 6.8% | 128 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.4% | 27 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 10 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 4 |
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 | 1,728 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 144 | 6.3% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,521 | 3.2% |
| Electric | 242 | 5.8% |
| Hybrid | 116 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Cooper
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
- Visibility (0.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (0.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2023 MINI Coopers pass their MOT?
96.4% of the 1,879 2023 MINI Cooper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 MINI Cooper?
Tyres, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by visibility (0.6%).
Does the 2023 Cooper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 6.3% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,879 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.