2009 MINI Mini (R57) — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,870 MOT tests, the 2009 MINI Mini (R57) recorded a 77.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests against 8.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 230 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.5% versus 8.1%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 224 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 163 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.9% | 111 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 91 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 83 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.5% | 66 |
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 | 230 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 131 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 86 |
| 4 | Wipers | 55 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 50 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 49 |
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 | 27.4% | 512 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.0% | 468 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.5% | 383 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 261 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 245 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 204 |
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 | 74 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 484 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 845 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 406 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 408 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 392 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 394 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 358 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 318 | 24.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Mini (R57)
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
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 Mini (R57)s pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 1,870 2009 MINI Mini (R57) MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 MINI Mini (R57)?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (8.7%).
Does the 2009 Mini (R57) get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,870 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.