2006 Mini One — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,341 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mini One, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.8% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (71.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.0% in the 150k+ group versus 11.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 219 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 141 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 138 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.5% | 127 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 87 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 76 |
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 | 98 |
| 2 | Joints | 93 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 92 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 83 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 82 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 79 |
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 | 50.5% | 677 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.3% | 420 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.1% | 404 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 29.5% | 396 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 274 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 188 |
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 | 36 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 121 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 425 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 513 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 206 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,283 | 28.0% |
| Diesel | 58 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 264 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 316 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 278 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 264 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 219 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 One
Before buying a 2006 Mini One, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Ones pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 1,341 2006 Mini One MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mini One?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 2006 One get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,341 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.