2012 MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd passed 87.2% of its 289 recorded MOT tests. That is 8.9 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.0% of all tests — 5.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and service brake performance — position lamp alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 16.7% once past 90-120k — 2.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 29 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 13 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 10 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.5% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 6 |
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 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 7 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 7 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 5 |
| 6 | 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 | Brakes | 20.1% | 58 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.1% | 58 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.3% | 53 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 17 |
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 | 80 | 7.5% |
| 60-90k | 130 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 36 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 57 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 56 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 55 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 60 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Mini Roadster Cooper Sd
On a 2012 Mini Roadster Cooper Sd, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Brakes (3.5% 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 2012 MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sds pass their MOT?
87.2% of the 289 2012 MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 MINI Mini Roadster Cooper Sd?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by suspension (4.5%).
Does the 2012 Mini Roadster Cooper Sd get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 30-60k band to 16.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 289 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.