2013 MINI Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,057 MOT tests, the 2013 MINI Roadster recorded an 86.0% pass rate. That is 6.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.0% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 76 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.3% once past 90-120k — 2.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 164 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.0% | 102 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.1% | 85 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.1% | 64 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 62 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 34 |
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 | 76 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 61 |
| 3 | Wipers | 50 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 49 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 49 |
| 6 | Washers | 45 |
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 | 25.1% | 516 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.4% | 399 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 184 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 159 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 5.6% | 115 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.6% | 94 |
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 | 292 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,004 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 604 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 140 | 19.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,756 | 14.0% |
| Diesel | 301 | 14.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 410 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 409 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 409 | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 422 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 407 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Roadster
On a 2013 Roadster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.0% 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.
- Visibility (4.1% 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.
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 2013 MINI Roadsters pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 2,057 2013 MINI Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 MINI Roadster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.0% of tests, followed by tyres (5.0%).
Does the 2013 Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 19.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,057 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.