2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 MINI Cooper S MOT pass rate and common faults

1,351 MOT tests in 2024. 76.4% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

119Well above average
Passed first time76.4%
Failed or needed repairs23.6%
Typical mileage at test64,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,351 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    52 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    27 marked dangerous
  5. Headlamp aim: too high1.1%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
  7. Headlamp aim: too low1.0%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.0%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics12.1%
  2. Tyres7.0%
  3. Suspension5.2%
  4. Brakes4.4%
  5. Emissions & leaks3.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.7%
  7. Body & chassis0.7%
  8. Wheels0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.0%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.4%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%
  5. Road Wheels - condition: badly distorted6.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 MINI Cooper S?

In 2024, 76.4% of 2012 MINI Cooper S cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,351 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 MINI Cooper S?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 MINI Cooper S reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 119, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).