2020 MINI One — MOT failures & pass rate
3,761 MOT tests on the 2020 MINI One are in this dataset, and 92.5% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), the 2020 One comes out 1.4pp better. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.3%) and tyres (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 165 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.6% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.7% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.3% | 162 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.2% | 159 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.5% | 58 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 40 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 6 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 165 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 58 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 38 |
| 5 | Washers | 23 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 11 |
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 | 21.8% | 820 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 234 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.4% | 164 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.0% | 152 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 20 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 14 |
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 | 2,625 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,044 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 86 | 11.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 30 | 6.7% |
| 2023 | 1,271 | 6.8% |
| 2024 | 1,215 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 1,242 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 One
On a 2020 One, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.3% 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 (4.2% 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 (1.5% 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 2020 MINI Ones pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 3,761 2020 MINI One MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 MINI One?
Visibility, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by tyres (4.2%).
Does the 2020 One get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 11.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,761 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.