Small car · 2001–2021 cars
MINI Clubman reliability
The MINI Clubman fails 16.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 89,580 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MINI Clubman before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 16.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 89,580
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MINI Clubman ages
Each point is the share of MINI Clubmans of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MINI Clubman | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.8% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 14.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 16.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 17.9% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 18.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 24.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 23.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 32.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 31.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 31.3% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 40.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 41% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst MINI Clubman years
2015 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 849 | 12.5% | 5% fewer fails | 31,764 |
| 2018 Clubman | 21,789 | 13.2% | 9% fewer fails | 35,010 |
| 2017 Clubman | 28,493 | 15.9% | 8% fewer fails | 43,092 |
| 2016 Clubman | 31,263 | 17.2% | 16% fewer fails | 51,488 |
| 2015 Clubman | 5,046 | 17.8% | 21% fewer fails | 56,731 |
| 2013 | 206 | 24.3% | 21% fewer fails | 71,808 |
| 2012 | 289 | 32.2% | 2% fewer fails | 75,796 |
| 2011 | 438 | 27.4% | 23% fewer fails | 80,289 |
| 2010 | 286 | 39.2% | 3% more fails | 89,654 |
| 2009 | 299 | 39.1% | 1% fewer fails | 84,239 |
| 2008 | 354 | 36.2% | 12% fewer fails | 88,380 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MINI Clubman
Its weak spot is tyres: 20% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres6.5%20% above avg
- Lights and electrics5.5%10% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.1%39% below avg
- Brakes2%46% below avg
- Suspension1.7%52% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%49% below avg
- Wheels0.5%125% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%33% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.2%56% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Stop lamp not working 2.33% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.82% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.32% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.07% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Headlamp aim set too high 0.95% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 6
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.94% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.93% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.88% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MINI Clubman's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.39%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.67%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.13%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.18%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.98%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.86%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MINI Clubman
- 1
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical MINI Clubman covers about 7,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol69.9%
- Diesel30.1%
- Hybrid0%
Most common colours
Grey, Silver, Black, White, Blue
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the MINI Clubman compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| MINI Clubman | 16.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Ignis | 23.5% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Mito | 36.9% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Colt | 44.8% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Getz | 46.2% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai ix20 | 26.9% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS3 | 29.1% | 59% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all MINI models.
Questions
MINI Clubman questions, answered
Is the MINI Clubman reliable?
On MOT results, the MINI Clubman is about average: it fails 16.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 5 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a MINI Clubman MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MINI Clubman are stop lamp not working (2.33% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.82% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.32% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.5% of its tests.
Which MINI Clubman year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a MINI Clubman do a year?
A typical MINI Clubman covers about 7,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a MINI Clubman before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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