Sports car and convertible · 2004–2017 cars
MINI Roadster reliability
The MINI Roadster fails 19.6% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,823 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MINI Roadster before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 19.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,823
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MINI Roadster ages
Each point is the share of MINI Roadsters of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MINI Roadster | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 17.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 18.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 18.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 19% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 21.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 24.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 29.9% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst MINI Roadster years
2013 cars come out best and 2015 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Roadster | 3,879 | 18.5% | 11% fewer fails | 43,369 |
| 2014 Roadster | 4,450 | 18.5% | 21% fewer fails | 46,669 |
| 2013 Roadster | 1,319 | 20.1% | 22% fewer fails | 52,470 |
| 2012 | 932 | 26% | 15% fewer fails | 63,462 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MINI Roadster
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 24% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics8.1%5% above avg
- Tyres5.2%5% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%24% above avg
- Suspension2.7%59% below avg
- Brakes2.6%44% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.8%54% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%69% below avg
- Wheels0.5%109% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%63% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.02% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Position lamp not working 1.64% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 1.57% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.43% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.27% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.19% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.02% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.78% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MINI Roadster's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.87%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.13%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.37%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.57%
- Road wheel slightly distorted3.09%
- Shock absorber light oil misting2.38%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MINI Roadster
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
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.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 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 Roadster covers about 5,700 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
- Petrol83%
- Diesel17%
Most common colours
Black, White, Silver, Red, Grey
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the MINI Roadster 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 |
| 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 |
| Mazda RX-8 | 31.9% | 13% 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 Roadster questions, answered
Is the MINI Roadster reliable?
On MOT results, the MINI Roadster is better than average: it fails 19.6% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 44 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a MINI Roadster MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MINI Roadster are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.02% of tests), position lamp not working (1.64% of tests), stop lamp not working (1.57% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8.1% of its tests.
Which MINI Roadster year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a MINI Roadster do a year?
A typical MINI Roadster covers about 5,700 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 Roadster 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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