MINI Hatch: what fails at MOT
917,000 MOT tests on the MINI Hatch in 2024, counted. 23% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23% of MINI Hatch tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.4%, so the Hatch does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.2% of tests), tyres (3.8% of tests) and brakes (3.1% 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 | 55,898 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 18,600 12,400 to 25,900 |
| 2020 | 52,726 | 9.9% | 11.5% | 22,600 15,500 to 31,000 |
| 2019 | 71,477 | 10.9% | 13.4% | 28,700 20,500 to 38,600 |
| 2018 | 63,489 | 12.0% | 15.6% | 35,000 25,200 to 46,200 |
| 2017 | 61,392 | 13.6% | 18.2% | 42,500 30,700 to 56,500 |
| 2016 | 63,249 | 14.2% | 21.3% | 49,900 36,400 to 65,100 |
| 2015 | 62,188 | 16.1% | 24.4% | 57,900 42,700 to 74,600 |
| 2014 | 42,868 | 18.6% | 27.7% | 63,600 47,000 to 81,900 |
| 2013 | 62,033 | 23.6% | 30.6% | 70,400 52,900 to 89,000 |
| 2012 | 61,209 | 25.0% | 33.4% | 75,400 57,700 to 95,100 |
| 2011 | 56,047 | 29.7% | 36.1% | 82,300 63,300 to 102,400 |
| 2010 | 50,306 | 31.6% | 38.6% | 83,900 65,000 to 103,200 |
| 2009 | 44,033 | 36.5% | 39.8% | 86,500 68,000 to 106,500 |
| 2008 | 40,728 | 38.6% | 41.5% | 93,100 74,600 to 113,200 |
| 2007 | 39,976 | 41.0% | 41.5% | 92,300 74,100 to 111,300 |
| 2006 | 31,072 | 42.9% | 42.4% | 95,200 75,300 to 114,400 |
| 2005 | 32,392 | 43.1% | 42.2% | 99,300 78,800 to 119,200 |
| 2004 | 26,262 | 44.1% | 42.3% | 103,200 82,100 to 123,500 |
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 Hatch tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Hatch | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 6.2% | 7.6% | |
| Tyres | 3.8% | 4.2% | |
| Brakes | 3.1% | 4.6% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.8% | 3.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.7% | 2.2% | |
| Suspension | 2.6% | 6.2% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.4% | 2.4% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.6% | 1.4% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.7%
- Side light2.6%
- Headlamp aim2.0%
- Wipers1.7%
- Exhaust emissions1.5%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Washers1.1%
- Engine warning light1.0%
- Brake pads1.0%
- Footbrake0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Brake light: not working0.8%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.8%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.7%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.7%
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 perishing6.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.5%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.3%
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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a MINI Hatch'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.