Used car guide

2012 MINI Roadster petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol MINI Roadster first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 134 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 134 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

134MOTs of 2012 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
81%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
4,800typical miles a year
25%had tyres flagged

Common 2012 MINI Roadster petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 MINI Roadster petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    16% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    16% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    4% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 MINI Roadster petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a MINI Roadster?

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Other years

Every year of the MINI Roadster compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20153,124Tyres 26%
20143,533Tyres 26%
20131,067Tyres 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of MINI Roadster cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score