2020 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,190 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 89.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.6% in the 60-90k group versus 8.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.1% | 96 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.9% | 46 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 18 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.3% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 4 | Washers | 12 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.3% | 360 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.8% | 57 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.8% | 45 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 27 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.4% | 17 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 855 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 301 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 409 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 386 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 394 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Cooper S Electric Level 1
Before buying a 2020 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 8.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (8.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1s pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 1,190 2020 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mini Cooper S Electric Level 1?
Tyres, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by visibility (3.9%).
Does the 2020 Cooper S Electric Level 1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,190 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.