At a Glance
The Austin Mini has 85 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Mini (1959-2000) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 184K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Austin Mini common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Austin Mini generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Austin Mini Generations
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Most Common Austin Mini MOT Failures
Every reason Austin Mini vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.78% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.63% |
| 3 | Front lamp not working | 7.22% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.01% |
| 5 | Driveshaft fault | 4.79% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.59% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.31% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 3.30% |
| 9 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.24% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.04% |
| 11 | Stop lamp not working | 2.60% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.38% |
| 13 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.17% |
| 14 | Front suspension fault | 1.88% |
| 15 | Track rod end worn | 1.81% |
| 16 | Horn not working | 1.75% |
| 17 | Chassis condition | 1.74% |
| 18 | Tyre condition | 1.68% |
| 19 | Steering rack fault | 1.63% |
| 20 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.60% |
| 21 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.53% |
| 22 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.51% |
| 23 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.41% |
| 24 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.40% |
| 25 | Wheel bearing worn | 1.29% |
| 26 | Fog lamp not working | 1.23% |
| 27 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.20% |
| 28 | Brake pads or linings worn | 0.98% |
| 29 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.94% |
| 30 | Rear suspension fault | 0.84% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.77% |
| 32 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.75% |
| 33 | Indicator fault | 0.69% |
| 34 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.66% |
| 35 | Electrical switch fault | 0.60% |
| 36 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.56% |
| 37 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.48% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 39 | Brake pedal fault | 0.44% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.42% |
| 41 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.38% |
| 42 | Parking brake condition | 0.38% |
| 43 | Headlamp fault | 0.36% |
| 44 | Seat belt condition | 0.34% |
| 45 | Brake fluid leak | 0.34% |
| 46 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.33% |
| 47 | Steering free play excessive | 0.28% |
| 48 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.28% |
| 49 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.28% |
| 50 | Steering column fault | 0.28% |
| 51 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.27% |
| 52 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.25% |
| 53 | Brake caliper fault | 0.24% |
| 54 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.24% |
| 55 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.23% |
| 56 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.22% |
| 57 | Steering lock fault | 0.21% |
| 58 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.21% |
| 59 | Engine oil leak | 0.20% |
| 60 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.18% |
| 61 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.18% |
| 62 | Steering operation fault | 0.18% |
| 63 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.18% |
| 64 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.18% |
| 65 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.17% |
| 66 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.16% |
| 67 | Suspension unit fault | 0.16% |
| 68 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.16% |
| 69 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.15% |
| 70 | Drag link end worn | 0.15% |
| 71 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.15% |
| 72 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.15% |
| 73 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.15% |
| 74 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.14% |
| 75 | Steering arm worn | 0.14% |
| 76 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.13% |
| 77 | CV joint worn | 0.13% |
| 78 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.11% |
| 79 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 80 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.10% |
| 81 | Front passenger door fault | 0.09% |
| 82 | Speedometer fault | 0.09% |
| 83 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.09% |
| 84 | Driver door fault | 0.08% |
| 85 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.08% |
| 86 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.08% |
| 87 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.07% |
| 88 | Steering shaft fault | 0.07% |
| 89 | Propshaft fault | 0.07% |
| 90 | Driver seat fault | 0.06% |
| 91 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 92 | Steering coupling worn | 0.06% |
| 93 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.06% |
| 94 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.05% |
| 95 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 96 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.05% |
| 97 | Dip switch fault | 0.04% |
| 98 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 99 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 100 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 101 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 102 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.04% |
| 103 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 104 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.04% |
| 105 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.04% |
| 106 | Brake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 108 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 109 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 110 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 111 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 112 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 113 | Brake valve fault | 0.03% |
| 114 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 115 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 116 | Brake pedal linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Hazard warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 118 | Access panel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 119 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.02% |
| 120 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 122 | Suspension coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 123 | Torque or reaction arm worn | 0.02% |
| 124 | Brake servo fault | 0.02% |
| 125 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.01% |
| 126 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 128 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | 0.01% |
| 129 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.01% |
| 130 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.01% |
| 131 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 132 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.01% |
| 133 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 134 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Coil spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 138 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 147 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Airbag warning light on | <0.01% |
| 152 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 156 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 167 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 169 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 171 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 174 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Austin Mini MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Austin Mini, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Austin Mini problems?
Based on analysis of 184K Austin Mini MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 85 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Austin Mini generation has the most problems?
The Austin Mini Mini (1959-2000) (1959–2000) has the highest number of identified common problems (109). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Austin Mini?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Austin Mini owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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