2016 · 8 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2016 MINI Cooper MOT pass rate and common faults

25,433 MOT tests in 2024. 84.5% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time84.5%
Failed or needed repairs15.5%
Typical mileage at test49,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 25,433 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    549 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
    362 marked dangerous
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
    308 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.8%
    240 marked dangerous
  8. Position lamp: not working0.7%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    233 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.7%
  2. Lights & electrics4.6%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.9%
  4. Brakes2.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks1.7%
  6. Suspension0.7%
  7. Wheels0.3%
  8. Body & chassis0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.7%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%

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: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. 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 2016 MINI Cooper?

In 2024, 84.5% of 2016 MINI Cooper cars passed their MOT first time, across 25,433 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 MINI Cooper?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2016 MINI Cooper reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).