2006 Mini Cooper S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,275 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mini Cooper S, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.4% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (71.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.3% in the 120-150k group versus 5.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 176 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 136 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.5% | 121 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 100 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 88 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 71 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 95 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 89 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 72 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 64 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 57 |
| 6 | Joints | 55 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.7% | 532 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 36.2% | 462 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.4% | 375 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.1% | 307 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 238 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 183 |
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 | 37 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 187 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 458 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 457 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 106 | 28.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 231 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 253 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 246 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 285 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 260 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Cooper S
Before buying a 2006 Mini Cooper S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2006 Mini Cooper Ss pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 1,275 2006 Mini Cooper S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mini Cooper S?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 2006 Cooper S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,275 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.