Small car · 1996–2021 cars

MINI Hatch reliability

The MINI Hatch fails 25.6% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 2,136,389 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 59/100#7 of 63 small cars

Checking a MINI Hatch before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 25.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 10% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 2,136,389; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

First-time MOT fail rate is 25.6%, against 28.4% for all cars, and the MINI Hatch ranks 7 of 63 small car models. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 10% fewer MOT fails. Choose a 2015 model if you can, as it has 27% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Be more careful with 2001 cars, which have 21% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

Exhaust, emissions and leaks is the weak spot, with 36% more fails than comparable cars. Check the exhaust for leaks and ask for proof of recent emissions work. Then check for the most common MOT failures: a position lamp not working (3.38% of tests), a wiper blade not clearing the windscreen (2.55%), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.66%), and headlamp aim set too low (1.24%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the MINI Hatch ages

Each point is the share of MINI Hatchs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

MINI HatchAll cars

MINI Hatch first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	MINI Hatch	All cars
3	9.7%	12.3%
4	11.8%	14.1%
5	13.5%	16.4%
6	14.5%	19.1%
7	15.2%	22.1%
8	17.2%	25.5%
9	20.4%	28.8%
10	24.1%	31.8%
11	26.6%	34.6%
12	30.4%	37.3%
13	33.6%	39.5%
14	37.3%	41.1%
15	40.3%	42.3%
16	42.4%	42.9%
17	43.9%	43.4%
18	44.8%	43.5%
19	45.5%	43.4%
20	46.6%	42.8%
21	37.2%	41.4%
22	48.5%	40.6%
23	43.5%	38.9%

By year

The best and worst MINI Hatch years

2015 cars come out best and 2001 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

MINI Hatch MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Hatch	15,230	8.4%	19% fewer fails	20,539
2020 Hatch	68,034	9.6%	13% fewer fails	22,027
2019 Hatch	140,776	10.4%	14% fewer fails	25,242
2018 Hatch	160,216	12.1%	11% fewer fails	29,356
2017 Hatch	160,441	14.4%	11% fewer fails	36,638
2016 Hatch	160,890	14.7%	22% fewer fails	43,719
2015 Hatch	158,319	16.1%	27% fewer fails	51,402
2014 Hatch	107,367	18.6%	26% fewer fails	57,288
2013 Hatch	150,658	23.2%	19% fewer fails	64,780
2012 Hatch	127,158	24.8%	21% fewer fails	69,757
2011 Hatch	107,101	29.9%	13% fewer fails	76,126
2010 Hatch	117,553	31.1%	16% fewer fails	79,654
2009 Hatch	109,230	36.1%	7% fewer fails	83,430
2008 Hatch	102,651	38.8%	5% fewer fails	89,973
2007 Hatch	104,011	41.5%	0% fewer fails	89,685
2006 Hatch	82,295	43.6%	3% more fails	93,176
2005 Hatch	87,674	44.3%	2% more fails	97,368
2004 Hatch	72,441	45.4%	4% more fails	101,720
2003 Hatch	53,837	46.1%	6% more fails	105,411
2002 Hatch	41,538	41.2%	0% fewer fails	106,560
2001 Hatch	8,789	52.2%	21% more fails	106,982

Common problems

What fails most on a MINI Hatch

Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 36% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics10.7%6% below avg
Tyres5.9%1% below avg
Brakes5.7%16% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%1% above avg
Suspension4.7%49% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%36% above avg
Body, chassis and structure2.9%21% below avg
Steering1.3%34% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%27% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.38% 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 2.55% 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 1.66% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Headlamp aim set too low 1.24% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Stop lamp not working 1.22% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.18% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.16% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
8
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.14% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MINI Hatch's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit11.85%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.11%
Engine oil leak, not excessive7.34%
Brake disc pitted or scored6.9%
Brake pads wearing thin4.78%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy4.5%

Before you buy

What to check on a used MINI Hatch

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
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
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 Hatch covers about 6,700 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

Petrol82.6%
Diesel16.5%
Hybrid0.5%
Electric0.4%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

White, Black, Blue, Red, Silver

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the MINI Hatch compares with its rivals

MINI Hatch against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Honda Jazz	25.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MINI Hatch	25.6%	10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Yaris	28.9%	about average for its age
Volkswagen Polo	32.8%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Fiesta	33.9%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Corsa	36.4%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Clio	43.1%	44% 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 Hatch questions, answered

Is the MINI Hatch reliable?

On MOT results, the MINI Hatch is about average: it fails 25.6% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 7 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a MINI Hatch MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the MINI Hatch are position lamp not working (3.38% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.55% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.66% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.7% of its tests.

Which MINI Hatch year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2001 cars do worst (21% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a MINI Hatch do a year?

A typical MINI Hatch covers about 6,700 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 Hatch 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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