MINI Countryman: what fails at MOT
147,000 MOT tests on the MINI Countryman in 2024, counted. 13.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.3% of MINI Countryman tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.2%, so the Countryman does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.4% of tests), lights and electrics (2.6% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (1.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,476 | 9.7% | 10.9% | 20,400 13,900 to 28,100 |
| 2020 | 13,948 | 8.8% | 11.5% | 25,200 17,600 to 34,500 |
| 2019 | 22,678 | 9.8% | 13.4% | 31,800 22,800 to 42,200 |
| 2018 | 21,305 | 10.8% | 15.6% | 40,200 30,100 to 52,400 |
| 2017 | 16,932 | 11.4% | 18.2% | 46,200 34,200 to 60,100 |
| 2016 | 13,654 | 14.2% | 21.3% | 51,100 37,900 to 66,100 |
| 2015 | 13,263 | 15.8% | 24.4% | 59,500 44,700 to 75,400 |
| 2014 | 19,154 | 17.7% | 27.7% | 67,000 51,000 to 84,400 |
| 2013 | 4,031 | 21.6% | 30.6% | 72,800 56,800 to 90,000 |
| 2012 | 3,825 | 25.1% | 33.4% | 83,000 64,500 to 101,200 |
| 2011 | 4,426 | 27.7% | 36.1% | 88,300 69,600 to 108,300 |
| 2010 | 572 | 29.7% | 38.6% | 90,200 76,300 to 108,700 |
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 Countryman tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Countryman | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.4% | 3.8% | |
| Lights and electrics | 2.6% | 4.2% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.6% | 2.3% | |
| Brakes | 1.2% | 2.8% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 0.7% | 3.1% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.5% | 1.1% | |
| Body and structure | 0.3% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.6%
- Headlamp aim1.3%
- Wipers0.9%
- Tyre tread0.9%
- Brake pads0.7%
- Washers0.7%
- Side light0.6%
- Engine warning light0.3%
- Headlamp0.3%
- Number plate light0.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- Side light: not working0.5%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.5%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
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 edge10.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.8%
- Nail in tyre1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.0%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a MINI Countryman'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.