MINI John Cooper Works: what fails at MOT
43,000 MOT tests on the MINI John Cooper Works in 2024, counted. 10.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
10.8% of MINI John Cooper Works tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 16.6%, so the John Cooper Works does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.3% of tests), lights and electrics (1.1% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (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 | 5,742 | 7.7% | 10.9% | 20,000 13,300 to 26,500 |
| 2020 | 7,048 | 7.3% | 11.5% | 22,200 14,900 to 31,800 |
| 2019 | 5,840 | 8.9% | 13.4% | 27,700 20,400 to 37,000 |
| 2018 | 6,321 | 11.4% | 15.6% | 36,500 26,200 to 46,700 |
| 2017 | 6,495 | 12.8% | 18.2% | 41,600 29,800 to 55,000 |
| 2016 | 4,321 | 13.0% | 21.3% | 47,800 36,000 to 60,100 |
| 2015 | 3,559 | 12.3% | 24.4% | 56,500 40,600 to 69,600 |
| 2014 | 554 | 15.2% | 27.7% | 52,200 39,500 to 69,100 |
| 2013 | 1,577 | 17.7% | 30.6% | 64,300 49,000 to 79,800 |
| 2012 | 521 | 25.1% | 33.4% | 69,300 55,700 to 87,400 |
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 John Cooper Works tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | John Cooper Works | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.3% | 3.5% | |
| Lights and electrics | 1.1% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.0% | 2.1% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 0.8% | 2.2% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 0.5% | 2.2% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.3% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.9%
- Wipers0.8%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Brake pads0.4%
- Tyre tread0.4%
- Washers0.3%
- Side light0.2%
- Exhaust emissions0.2%
- Number plates0.2%
- Shock absorbers0.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.4%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.3%
- Tyre: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
- Side light: not working0.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
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 edge4.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.6%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Nail in tyre0.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement0.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged0.5%
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 John Cooper Works'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.