At a Glance
The Rover Mini has 83 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Mini (1990-2000) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 365K 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 Rover 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
Rover 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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Most Common Rover Mini MOT Failures
Every reason Rover 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 | Driveshaft fault | 11.06% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 10.95% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.95% |
| 4 | Front lamp not working | 5.80% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.70% |
| 6 | Exhaust system fault | 5.22% |
| 7 | Track rod end worn | 4.50% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.87% |
| 9 | Rear lamp not working | 2.87% |
| 10 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 2.65% |
| 11 | Stop lamp not working | 2.45% |
| 12 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.16% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.14% |
| 14 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.08% |
| 15 | Headlamp fault | 1.94% |
| 16 | Position lamp not working | 1.92% |
| 17 | Rear suspension fault | 1.91% |
| 18 | Brake performance below minimum | 1.77% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.73% |
| 20 | Brake pads or linings worn | 1.49% |
| 21 | Parking brake condition | 1.43% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 1.34% |
| 23 | Wheel bearing worn | 1.27% |
| 24 | Chassis condition | 0.77% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.70% |
| 26 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 0.65% |
| 27 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.61% |
| 28 | Steering free play excessive | 0.61% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.56% |
| 30 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.53% |
| 31 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.50% |
| 32 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.50% |
| 33 | Airbag warning light on | 0.46% |
| 34 | Indicator fault | 0.45% |
| 35 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.43% |
| 36 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.43% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.43% |
| 38 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.43% |
| 39 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.34% |
| 40 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.33% |
| 41 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.32% |
| 42 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.26% |
| 43 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.26% |
| 44 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.26% |
| 45 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.25% |
| 46 | Engine oil leak | 0.24% |
| 47 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 48 | Front suspension fault | 0.23% |
| 49 | Fog lamp not working | 0.21% |
| 50 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.21% |
| 51 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.20% |
| 52 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.19% |
| 53 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.18% |
| 54 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.18% |
| 55 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.16% |
| 56 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.16% |
| 57 | CV joint worn | 0.15% |
| 58 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.15% |
| 59 | Steering arm worn | 0.13% |
| 60 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 61 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 62 | Electrical switch fault | 0.12% |
| 63 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 64 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 65 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.10% |
| 66 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Suspension unit fault | 0.08% |
| 69 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 70 | Steering column fault | 0.08% |
| 71 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 72 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.07% |
| 73 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 74 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.07% |
| 75 | Front passenger door fault | 0.07% |
| 76 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 77 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 78 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 79 | Drag link end worn | 0.06% |
| 80 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 82 | Speedometer fault | 0.05% |
| 83 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.05% |
| 84 | Driver seat fault | 0.05% |
| 85 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 86 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Brake fluid leak | 0.04% |
| 88 | Dip switch fault | 0.04% |
| 89 | Passenger seat fault | 0.04% |
| 90 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 91 | Brake servo fault | 0.04% |
| 92 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 93 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 95 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 96 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 97 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 98 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 99 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 100 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 101 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 102 | Hazard warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 103 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 104 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 105 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 107 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 108 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 109 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Access panel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 111 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.02% |
| 112 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Brake pedal linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 114 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.02% |
| 115 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | 0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 118 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Torque or reaction arm worn | 0.01% |
| 120 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 121 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.01% |
| 122 | Stub axle worn | 0.01% |
| 123 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.01% |
| 124 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 125 | Seat belt anchorage fault | 0.01% |
| 126 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 142 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 147 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 153 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 156 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 158 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 160 | ABS fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 163 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 165 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 176 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Rover Mini MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Rover 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 Rover Mini problems?
Based on analysis of 365K Rover Mini MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 83 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Rover Mini generation has the most problems?
The Rover Mini Mini (1990-2000) (1990–2000) has the highest number of identified common problems (113). 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 Rover Mini?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Rover Mini owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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