MINI Clubman: what fails at MOT
41,000 MOT tests on the MINI Clubman in 2024, counted. 17.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
17.5% of MINI Clubman tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 20.1%, so the Clubman is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (4.5% of tests), tyres (4.5% of tests) and suspension (1.7% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 498 | 12.2% | 13.4% | 35,400 26,500 to 43,600 |
| 2018 | 8,980 | 14.3% | 15.6% | 42,400 31,300 to 53,900 |
| 2017 | 12,131 | 16.9% | 18.2% | 50,200 38,100 to 63,900 |
| 2016 | 13,256 | 17.7% | 21.3% | 58,800 45,300 to 73,500 |
| 2015 | 2,253 | 18.7% | 24.4% | 64,100 49,600 to 79,100 |
| 2013 | 1,347 | 24.3% | 30.6% | 69,700 53,500 to 88,700 |
| 2012 | 931 | 29.0% | 33.4% | 77,000 58,100 to 96,500 |
| 2011 | 623 | 30.0% | 36.1% | 92,200 67,200 to 112,100 |
| 2010 | 316 | 33.5% | 38.6% | 90,300 71,000 to 112,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of MINI Clubman tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Clubman | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 4.5% | 4.2% | |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 4.0% | |
| Suspension | 1.7% | 3.4% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.6% | 2.3% | |
| Brakes | 1.5% | 2.9% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.7% | 1.3% | |
| Wheels | 0.4% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.5%
- Brake light2.1%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Headlamp aim1.1%
- Brake pads1.0%
- Wipers0.9%
- Coil spring0.8%
- Side light0.7%
- Washers0.6%
- Engine warning light0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working2.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
- Side light: not working0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.7%
- Wheel: slightly distorted1.5%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a MINI Clubman's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.