2011 MINI First — MOT failures & pass rate
945 MOT tests on the 2011 MINI First are in this dataset, and 82.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (23.2% fail rate), the 2011 First comes out 5.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.6% of all tests — 11.1 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 77 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2011 First fails 12.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 16.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 147 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.4% | 42 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.0% | 38 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.5% | 33 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 28 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 27 |
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 | 77 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 3 | Wipers | 35 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 26 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 24 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
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 | 28.0% | 265 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.8% | 206 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.7% | 129 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 102 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 88 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.5% | 80 |
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 | 62 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 246 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 370 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 224 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 179 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 193 | 14.0% |
| 2023 | 195 | 17.9% |
| 2024 | 193 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 185 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 First
On a 2011 First, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Visibility (4.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.0% 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 2011 MINI Firsts pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 945 2011 MINI First MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 MINI First?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by visibility (4.4%).
Does the 2011 First get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 945 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.