Sports car and convertible · 2011–2017 cars
MINI Paceman reliability
The MINI Paceman fails 15.5% of first MOT tests, 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 29,646 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MINI Paceman before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 15.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 36% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 29,646
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MINI Paceman ages
Each point is the share of MINI Pacemans of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MINI Paceman | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 9.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 12.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 13.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 15.3% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 17% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 18.9% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 24.5% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst MINI Paceman years
2016 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 492 | 13% | 21% fewer fails | 37,726 |
| 2016 Paceman | 5,034 | 12.1% | 38% fewer fails | 45,097 |
| 2015 Paceman | 7,796 | 14.4% | 37% fewer fails | 53,528 |
| 2014 Paceman | 13,815 | 16.9% | 36% fewer fails | 62,091 |
| 2013 Paceman | 2,504 | 19.1% | 34% fewer fails | 67,832 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MINI Paceman
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres6%1% below avg
- Lights and electrics5.4%33% below avg
- Brakes2.8%44% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%53% below avg
- Suspension1.2%82% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%43% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%71% below avg
- Wheels0.4%24% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%17% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.5% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.11% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.95% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too high 0.93% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.86% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.66% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Position lamp not working 0.63% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.61% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MINI Paceman's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.54%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.9%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.59%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.36%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy1.8%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.65%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MINI Paceman
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
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.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 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 Paceman covers about 7,000 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
- Petrol52.6%
- Diesel47.4%
Most common colours
White, Black, Grey, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the MINI Paceman compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar XK | 17.8% | 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar XKR | 22.6% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Paceman | 15.5% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz SLC | 11.8% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota MR2 | 33.3% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Celica | 39.4% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo C70 | 38.9% | 3% 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 Paceman questions, answered
Is the MINI Paceman reliable?
On MOT results, the MINI Paceman is better than average: it fails 15.5% of first MOT tests, 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a MINI Paceman MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MINI Paceman are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.5% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.11% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (0.95% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6% of its tests.
Which MINI Paceman year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a MINI Paceman do a year?
A typical MINI Paceman covers about 7,000 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 Paceman 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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