2008 MINI Mini (R57) — MOT failures & pass rate
282 MOT tests on the 2008 MINI Mini (R57) are in this dataset, and 75.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.3% of the time, so this is 1.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.7% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Mini (R57) fails 20.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 24.6% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 33 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.8% | 22 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 22 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 17 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 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 | 36 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 9 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 8 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 25.9% | 73 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.9% | 73 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.0% | 62 |
| 4 | Brakes | 22.0% | 62 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.9% | 28 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 28 |
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 | 77 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 125 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 65 | 24.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 62 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 53 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 48 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Mini (R57)
On a 2008 Mini (R57), lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (7.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2008 MINI Mini (R57)s pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 282 2008 MINI Mini (R57) MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 MINI Mini (R57)?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by brakes (7.8%).
Does the 2008 Mini (R57) get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 30-60k band to 24.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 282 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.