2017 MINI One — MOT failures & pass rate
29,700 MOT tests on the 2017 MINI One are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (13.3% fail rate), the 2017 One comes out 4.0pp better. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.9%) and tyres (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 1,455 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.1% in the 0-30k band and 18.4% in the 150k+ band, a 11.3-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 9.2% of the time against 10.4% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.9% | 1,451 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 1,441 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 852 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 575 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 147 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 140 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,455 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 572 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 529 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 524 |
| 5 | Washers | 310 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 180 |
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 | 26.6% | 7,910 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 2,886 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.8% | 1,429 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 1,412 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 317 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 190 |
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 | 11,721 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 13,831 | 10.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,480 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 538 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 80 | 11.3% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 18.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 26,315 | 9.2% |
| Diesel | 3,385 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,925 | 7.5% |
| 2022 | 5,936 | 8.9% |
| 2023 | 6,027 | 10.4% |
| 2024 | 5,871 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 5,941 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2017 One
On a 2017 One, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.9% 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.
- Tyres (4.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2017 MINI Ones pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 29,700 2017 MINI One MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 MINI One?
Visibility, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2017 One get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,700 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.