2002 Mini Cooper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,056 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mini Cooper, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.6% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.5% in the 150k+ group versus 21.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.6% | 239 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 139 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.1% | 138 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 114 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.9% | 73 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 172 |
| 2 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 72 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 68 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 68 |
| 5 | Joints | 59 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 53 |
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 | 45.4% | 479 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.6% | 355 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.2% | 287 |
| 4 | Tyres | 27.0% | 285 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 180 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 146 |
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 | 51 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 114 | 27.2% |
| 60-90k | 256 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 338 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 208 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 232 | 33.2% |
| 2022 | 229 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 228 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 196 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 171 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cooper
Before buying a 2002 Mini Cooper, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (13.1% 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 2002 Mini Coopers pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 1,056 2002 Mini Cooper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mini Cooper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2002 Cooper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,056 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.