2021 MINI Countryman — MOT failures & pass rate
16,633 MOT tests on the 2021 MINI Countryman are in this dataset, and 92.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.0%) and visibility (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 499 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Countryman fails 6.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.6% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.8% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 836 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 511 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 157 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 92 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 52 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 499 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 190 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 162 |
| 4 | Washers | 116 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 82 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 26 |
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 | 18.4% | 3,060 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.3% | 882 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.5% | 753 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 664 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 74 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.1% | 25 |
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 | 11,631 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,711 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 268 | 8.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,320 | 7.3% |
| Hybrid | 176 | 8.0% |
| Diesel | 137 | 9.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 497 | 4.8% |
| 2024 | 8,129 | 7.5% |
| 2025 | 7,983 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Countryman
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (3.1% 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 (0.9% 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 2021 MINI Countrymans pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 16,633 2021 MINI Countryman MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 MINI Countryman?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2021 Countryman get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,633 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.