2004 MINI One — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,085 MOT tests, the 2004 MINI One recorded a 70.3% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.2%, so the 2004 One sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.7% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 139 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 52.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.9% in 2021 to 26.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 203 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 152 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 111 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 95 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 68 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 61 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 139 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 74 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 68 |
| 4 | Wipers | 54 |
| 5 | Joints | 50 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 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 | Brakes | 52.8% | 573 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.0% | 402 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 34.9% | 379 |
| 4 | Tyres | 28.2% | 306 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 209 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.8% | 182 |
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 | 101 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 273 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 395 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 213 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 83 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,010 | 29.9% |
| Diesel | 75 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 233 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 225 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 227 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 226 | 32.7% |
| 2025 | 174 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 One
On a 2004 One, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.0% 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.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
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 2004 MINI Ones pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 1,085 2004 MINI One MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 MINI One?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 2004 One get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 30-60k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,085 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.