MINI First: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The MINI First passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 1.4 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,605 individual MINI First tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate78.1%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+1.4 points
Tests analysed1,605
Average mileage at test71,734 miles
Average year of manufacture2012
Reliability rank1,518 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 78.1% first-time pass rate means roughly 22 in every 100 MINI Firsts presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average MINI First tested had covered 71,734 miles and was built around 2012.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The MINI First sits 1.4 points above the national average, ranked 1,518 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific MINI First rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged MINI Firsts at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MINI First

  1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 3.3% of tests (9.22x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.4% of tests (5.08x the national rate for this defect)
  3. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.9% of tests (4.28x the national rate for this defect)
  4. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.7% of tests (3.32x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.6% of tests (1.51x the national rate for this defect)
  6. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.2% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
  7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
  8. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 2.4% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
  9. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.6% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
  10. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.6% of tests

From 1,594 DVSA-tracked MINI First tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.2% of these flagged MINI First defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a MINI First

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a MINI First before it actually fails on it.

  1. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.2% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 8.2% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.6% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.2% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this advisory)
  5. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.8% of tests (1.2x the national rate for this advisory)
  6. A tyre seriously damaged, 18.4% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 22.6% of tests
  8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 13.1% of tests
  9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.8% of tests
  10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.3% of tests

From 1,594 DVSA-tracked MINI First tests, 2024.

MINI First pass rate by model year

From its 2012 to its 2013 model year, the MINI First's first-time pass rate has risen 1.8 points, from 78.9% to 80.7%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each MINI First year:

Other MINI models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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MINI First MOT pass rate badge: 78.1%

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MINI First most common MOT failure: Emissions levels exceed default limits (3.3% of tests)

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/mini-first"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/failure/mini-first.svg" width="340" height="106" alt="MINI First most common MOT failure: Emissions levels exceed default limits (3.3% of tests) - Salvage Prophet"></a>

All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate