2012 MINI Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 MINI Roadster passed 85.0% of its 313 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.7%) and visibility (5.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and washers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 10 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.7% in 2021 to 14.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 24 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.1% | 16 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.6% | 8 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.3% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Washers | 9 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 8 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 8 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8 |
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 | 19.8% | 62 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 49 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.1% | 41 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 16 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 16 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 4.8% | 15 |
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 | 143 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 105 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 262 | 13.0% |
| Diesel | 51 | 25.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 59 | 10.2% |
| 2023 | 61 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 66 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 67 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Roadster
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (5.1% 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.
- Suspension (4.2% 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 2012 MINI Roadsters pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 313 2012 MINI Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 MINI Roadster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.7% of tests, followed by visibility (5.1%).
Does the 2012 Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 30-60k band to 19.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 313 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.