MOT failure rate and common problems for the MINI 1275, and how to check your own car by registration.
Updated 05 September 2026.
MINI 1275 MOT failure rate
What a MINI 1275 fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.
What it fails on, and why
Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.
Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.
This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.
Seat-belt failures are frays, cuts, corroded anchorages, or a belt that will not lock under a sharp pull or retract properly.
Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.
Structural failures are corrosion in load-bearing areas, sharp edges, or insecure panels. These are inspection-and-welding jobs rather than a simple bolt-on part, so weigh them against the value of the car.
The parts that fix each
If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.
Other models
Questions and answers
What is the MOT failure rate of the MINI 1275?
It fails 38.9% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 54 tests.
What do these cars fail their MOT on most?
The most common failure area is exhaust & emissions, at 42.9% of this model's failures.