2011 Mini Cooper Sd Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 379 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Mini Cooper Sd Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension. Its pass rate of 82.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 49 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.9% | 26 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.0% | 15 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 9 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 9 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 7 |
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 | 28.2% | 107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.7% | 67 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.0% | 53 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 28 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.9% | 26 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 97 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 142 | 19.0% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 16.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 14.8% |
| 2022 | 79 | 19.0% |
| 2023 | 75 | 16.0% |
| 2024 | 76 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 68 | 14.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Cooper Sd Auto
Before buying a 2011 Mini Cooper Sd Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.9% 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.
- Suspension (4.0% 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.
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 2011 Mini Cooper Sd Autos pass their MOT?
82.8% of the 379 2011 Mini Cooper Sd Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mini Cooper Sd Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by tyres (6.9%).
Does the 2011 Cooper Sd Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 30-60k band to 16.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 379 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.