Sports car and convertible · 2002–2016 cars
MINI Coupe reliability
The MINI Coupe fails 27.6% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,684 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MINI Coupe before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 27.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,684
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MINI Coupe ages
Each point is the share of MINI Coupes of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MINI Coupe | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 26.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 24.7% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 25.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 28.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 30.5% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst MINI Coupe years
2012 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 202 | 20.3% | 28% fewer fails | 58,784 |
| 2012 Coupe | 3,209 | 23.4% | 23% fewer fails | 62,104 |
| 2011 Coupe | 2,280 | 29.7% | 12% fewer fails | 73,451 |
| 2010 | 373 | 36.2% | 2% fewer fails | 74,983 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MINI Coupe
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.2%6% above avg
- Suspension5.4%52% below avg
- Tyres5.1%20% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%2% below avg
- Brakes4.6%36% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.4%9% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.8%53% below avg
- Wheels0.6%52% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%36% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.24% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.77% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.72% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.68% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Stop lamp not working 1.5% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.41% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 1.12% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.97% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MINI Coupe's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.86%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.84%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.29%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive4.83%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.19%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.74%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MINI Coupe
- 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
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Coupe covers about 6,100 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
- Petrol75%
- Diesel24.9%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, White, Red, Grey
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the MINI Coupe compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Skyline | 14.2% | 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan 370 Z | 14.3% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus SC | 21.7% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 124 Spider | 9.6% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Coupe | 27.6% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Brera | 34.8% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo GT | 45.9% | 8% more 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 Coupe questions, answered
Is the MINI Coupe reliable?
On MOT results, the MINI Coupe is better than average: it fails 27.6% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 47 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a MINI Coupe MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MINI Coupe are position lamp not working (6.24% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (1.77% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.72% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.2% of its tests.
Which MINI Coupe year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a MINI Coupe do a year?
A typical MINI Coupe covers about 6,100 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 Coupe 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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