2011 MINI One — MOT failures & pass rate
7,402 MOT tests on the 2011 MINI One are in this dataset, and 81.5% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (24.0% fail rate), the 2011 One comes out 5.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.9% of all tests — 10.5 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 718 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.4% versus 6.2%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.0pp more often than petrol ones (20.5% vs 17.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 1,179 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.4% | 398 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.7% | 346 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 339 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.3% | 245 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 157 |
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 | 718 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 344 |
| 3 | Wipers | 260 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 245 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 238 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 149 |
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 | 27.1% | 2,008 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.4% | 1,658 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.5% | 1,295 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 850 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 702 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.9% | 656 |
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 | 276 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,639 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,763 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,980 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 568 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 176 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,769 | 17.5% |
| Diesel | 2,633 | 20.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,411 | 16.5% |
| 2022 | 1,483 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 1,449 | 16.3% |
| 2024 | 1,561 | 20.4% |
| 2025 | 1,498 | 21.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 One
On a 2011 One, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.7% 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 2011 MINI Ones pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 7,402 2011 MINI One MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 MINI One?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by tyres (5.4%).
Does the 2011 One get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,402 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.