2012 MINI MINI MOT pass rate: 80.2% (65,733 tests)
Is the 2012 MINI getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 81.8% +9.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 80.0% +9.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 78.7% +8.5 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 MINI
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7,584 | 26.8% |
| 2 | Tyres | 5,322 | 18.8% |
| 3 | Brakes | 4,521 | 16.0% |
| 4 | Suspension | 4,059 | 14.4% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2,437 | 8.6% |
| 6 | Visibility | 2,294 | 8.1% |
All MINI years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5,845 | 58.3% | -8.3 pts | 96,630 |
| 2002 | 24,218 | 60.5% | -5.2 pts | 104,450 |
| 2003 | 37,410 | 62.0% | -3.0 pts | 105,766 |
| 2004 | 52,216 | 61.4% | -3.0 pts | 102,381 |
| 2005 | 64,087 | 61.9% | -2.6 pts | 98,050 |
| 2006 | 60,717 | 63.1% | -1.4 pts | 94,371 |
| 2007 | 73,830 | 64.6% | -0.5 pts | 90,855 |
| 2008 | 75,417 | 66.4% | +1.2 pts | 91,489 |
| 2009 | 83,132 | 69.1% | +2.7 pts | 85,719 |
| 2010 | 89,901 | 75.2% | +7.8 pts | 82,460 |
| 2011 | 76,626 | 76.9% | +7.7 pts | 79,151 |
| 2012 (this page) | 65,733 | 80.2% | +9.0 pts | 74,618 |
| 2013 | 56,733 | 82.5% | +9.1 pts | 72,863 |
| 2014 | 1,565 | 84.8% | +9.0 pts | 67,328 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: MINI MINI years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2012 MINI MINI reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 80.2% of their MOT tests (65,733 tests, 2023–2025), +9.0 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 74,618 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 MINI?
The median tested example shows 74,618 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.