89.3%
pass rate across 116,926 tests
88.1% first-time pass rate
49,699 mi median at test
MINI COOPER 2016 vs 2019
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 261,646 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
92.0%
pass rate across 144,720 tests
91.3% first-time pass rate
28,378 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2019 COOPER passes more — but most of it is age
Across 261,646 tests, the 2019 COOPER passes 92.0% of MOTs and the 2016 89.3%. The 2019 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 28,378 miles against 49,699, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2019 is +2.5 points and the 2016 +5.3 — a like-for-like gap of −2.8 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £37–£90 on the 2016 and £35–£82 on the 2019. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 42% of the 2016's recorded faults and 42% of the 2019's. Both years fail most often on windscreen.
- Pass rate: 89.3% vs 92.0%
- Tests: 116,926 vs 144,720
- Like-for-like: +5.3 vs +2.5 pts
- Median mileage: 49,699 vs 28,378 mi
- Typical repair: £37–£90 vs £35–£82
- Cheap fixes: 42% vs 42%
| Measure | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 116,926 | 144,720 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 89.3% | 92.0% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 88.1% | 91.3% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | +5.3 pts stronger figure | +2.5 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | +5.3 pts stronger figure | +2.5 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 52,484 mi | 30,996 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 49,699 mi | 28,378 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £37–£90 | £35–£82 stronger figure |
| Repairs under £30 | 42% | 42% |
| Most common failing part | Windscreen | Windscreen |
| Variants recorded | 1 | 1 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 73% | Petrol 93% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2016 COOPER
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 3.4% £80–£200
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.6% £45–£95
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.4% £8–£22
- Wipers blade defective 1.3% £8–£22
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 0.9% £8–£22
2019 COOPER
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 2.3% £80–£200
- Wipers blade defective 2.0% £8–£22
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.9% £45–£95
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.7% £8–£22
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.3% £8–£22
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 92.7% · 18,538 tests | 93.3% · 78,741 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 90.0% · 60,035 tests | 90.6% · 58,659 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 87.1% · 30,681 tests | 88.4% · 6,546 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 84.3% · 6,408 tests | 87.9% · 653 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 82.6% · 1,245 tests | 88.1% · 109 tests |
What to check before you buy
2016 MINI COOPER
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 3.4% of tests · £80–£200
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords — 1.6% of tests · £45–£95
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively — 1.4% of tests · £8–£22
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2019 MINI COOPER
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 2.3% of tests · £80–£200
- Wipers blade defective — 2.0% of tests · £8–£22
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords — 1.9% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the MINI COOPER? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the MINI COOPER →
Or put the COOPER against another model: Compare the MINI COOPER side by side →