MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 2 model years and 290 tests, the MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd passes its MOT 87.2% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (21.7% fail rate), the Mini Roadster Cooper Sd comes out 8.9pp better. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests against 4.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, shock absorbers and service brake performance — position lamp alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 16.7% once past 90-120k — 2.2× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Mini Roadster Cooper Sd model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 289 | 87.2% | 12.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 29 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 13 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.5% | 10 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 6 |
| 7 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 2 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 7 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 7 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 5 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4 |
| 7 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 4 |
| 8 | Washers | 4 |
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 | 20.0% | 58 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.0% | 58 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.3% | 53 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 18 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 18 |
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 | 81 | 7.4% |
| 60-90k | 130 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 36 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 62 | 12.9% |
| 2022 | 57 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 56 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 55 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 60 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd
- Lighting & signalling (10.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.5% 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.
- Tyres (3.5% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd?
87.2% of the 290 MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 12.8% fail rate, across model years 2012–2013.
What does the MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, then suspension (4.5%).
How much does mileage affect Mini Roadster Cooper Sd MOT results?
Fail rates run at 7.4% for cars in the 30-60k band and 16.7% for 90-120k, a 9.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 290 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.