Diesel MINI MINI: MOT pass rate

74.3% of diesel MINI MINIs pass the MOT first time, measured across 43,594 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 102,737.

Diesel against the other MINI MINI versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the MINI MINI specifically, diesel is the strongest at 74.3%, and this diesel version sits 5.1 points above the 69.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel MINI MINI is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel MINI MINI had covered 102,737 miles at test, against 88,582 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the MINI MINI page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel MINI MINI

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 1.4% of tests (3.87x the national rate for this defect)
2. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 7.6% of tests (3.4x the national rate for this defect)
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.1% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
4. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.1% of tests (1.98x the national rate for this defect)
5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.7% of tests
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.9% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.1% of tests
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 2.1% of tests

From 44,047 DVSA-tracked diesel MINI MINI tests, 2024, split out from the MINI MINI's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.59% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel MINI MINI

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 16.7% of tests (3.24x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 3.2% of tests (3.03x the national rate for this defect)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5.6% of tests (2.81x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 9.1% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
5. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 16.3% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.1% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.8% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 31.6% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.1% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)

From 44,047 DVSA-tracked diesel MINI MINI tests, 2024.

Other MINI MINI fuel types

• Petrol MINI MINI - 68.2%

All MINI MINI MOT data · Every model