2010 MINI Mini (R58) — MOT failures & pass rate
597 MOT tests on the 2010 MINI Mini (R58) are in this dataset, and 81.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 5.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.6% of all tests — 10.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 66 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.9% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 99 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 35 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.7% | 28 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 17 |
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 | 66 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 20 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 18 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 18 |
| 6 | Wipers | 16 |
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 | 26.3% | 157 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.1% | 138 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.6% | 135 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.7% | 76 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 74 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.2% | 43 |
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 | 108 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 304 | 19.7% |
| 90-120k | 142 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 332 | 15.4% |
| Diesel | 265 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 128 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 120 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 112 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 107 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Mini (R58)
On a 2010 Mini (R58), lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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.
- Visibility (4.7% 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.
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 2010 MINI Mini (R58)s pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 597 2010 MINI Mini (R58) MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 MINI Mini (R58)?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2010 Mini (R58) get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 30-60k band to 23.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 597 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.