2009 MINI First — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 261 MOT tests, the 2009 MINI First recorded a 74.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: emissions & environmental, recorded in 19.5% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 112 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 25.8% versus 17.0%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 19.5% | 51 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 29 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.6% | 12 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 10 |
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 | 112 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 4 | Wipers | 13 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 12 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 29.5% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.1% | 63 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.6% | 46 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 46 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 23 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.3% | 19 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 47 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 108 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 62 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 53 | 18.9% |
| 2023 | 57 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 50 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 44 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 First
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: emissions & environmental accounted for 19.5% of tests. Start there.
- Emissions & environmental (19.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.6% 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 2009 MINI Firsts pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 261 2009 MINI First MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 MINI First?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.1%).
Does the 2009 First get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.0% in the 30-60k band to 25.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 261 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.