Sports car and convertible · 2001–2019 cars
MINI Convertible reliability
The MINI Convertible fails 28.1% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,150 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MINI Convertible before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 28.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,150
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MINI Convertible ages
Each point is the share of MINI Convertibles of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MINI Convertible | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 15% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.9% | 16.4% |
| 9 | 25.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 31% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 27% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 30.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 29.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 31.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 32.5% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst MINI Convertible years
2010 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Convertible | 1,124 | 15.4% | 28% more fails | 21,752 |
| 2012 Convertible | 1,840 | 28.8% | 13% fewer fails | 76,126 |
| 2011 Convertible | 3,192 | 29.6% | 16% fewer fails | 80,773 |
| 2010 Convertible | 2,229 | 29.3% | 19% fewer fails | 75,076 |
| 2009 Convertible | 1,124 | 32.4% | 13% fewer fails | 73,614 |
| 2008 | 205 | 26.8% | 33% fewer fails | 85,199 |
| 2007 | 231 | 31.2% | 19% fewer fails | 72,022 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MINI Convertible
Its weak spot is tyres: 17% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14%3% above avg
- Tyres7.4%17% above avg
- Brakes4.9%34% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%9% below avg
- Suspension4.2%64% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%9% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.5%62% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%41% below avg
- Wheels0.6%53% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.8% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.85% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.73% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 1.48% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.46% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 6
Tyre bulge from structural failure 1.42% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.28% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.26% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MINI Convertible's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.68%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.24%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.55%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive5.14%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.37%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.83%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MINI Convertible
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 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 Convertible covers about 6,200 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
- Diesel50.8%
- Petrol49.1%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
White, Blue, Black, Red, Silver
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the MINI Convertible compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | 5.6% | 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB11 | 3.9% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Spider | 30.2% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Roadster | 19.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Convertible | 28.1% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 124 | 12.5% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Cascada | 22.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all MINI models.
Questions
MINI Convertible questions, answered
Is the MINI Convertible reliable?
On MOT results, the MINI Convertible is about average: it fails 28.1% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 51 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a MINI Convertible MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MINI Convertible are position lamp not working (5.8% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.85% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.73% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14% of its tests.
Which MINI Convertible year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (28% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a MINI Convertible do a year?
A typical MINI Convertible covers about 6,200 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 Convertible 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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