2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 MINI Cooper MOT pass rate and common faults

815 MOT tests in 2024. 62.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time62.5%
Failed or needed repairs37.5%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 815 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits6.5%
  2. Position lamp: not working6.1%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits5.2%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.8%
  5. Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits4.8%
  6. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.9%
  7. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits3.2%
  8. Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits2.8%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.7%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
    23 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Emissions & leaks36.6%
  2. Lights & electrics21.8%
  3. Brakes10.7%
  4. Suspension7.0%
  5. Tyres6.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.3%
  7. Body & chassis2.7%
  8. Steering0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.8%
  2. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened14.5%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.1%

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: catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. 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 2009 MINI Cooper?

In 2024, 62.5% of 2009 MINI Cooper cars passed their MOT first time, across 815 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 MINI Cooper?

The most common failure reasons were catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits; position lamp: not working; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was emissions & leaks.

Is the 2009 MINI Cooper reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).