Austin Mini (1982)
1982 Austin Mini
CarHunch analysed 547 real MOT records for the 1982 Austin Mini. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
These 1982 Minis are in very poor shape: only 5.4% pass first time compared to the UK average of 80%, and the median CarHunch score of 50 puts them in the bottom tier of reliability. Dangerous defects are mercifully rare at 3.1%, but the overall pattern suggests these cars have accumulated serious wear after four decades on the road.
At an average mileage of 56,796 miles, these Minis are relatively lightly driven, yet they're still failing badly—meaning age and corrosion, not heavy use, are the culprits. Most cars pick up fewer than one failure per test, but advisories average 0.7 per vehicle, pointing to creeping deterioration in everything from trim to seals. If you're serious about a 1982 Mini, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection and expect restoration-level work on suspension, brakes, and rust before it's genuinely safe to drive.
What to check before buying a 1982 Austin Mini
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Austin Mini
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Austin Mini vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1982 Austin Mini vehicles fall between 36,558 and 78,269 miles.
1982 Austin Mini — Still on the Road
11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 — 61% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Austin Mini
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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49.9%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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43.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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32.1%
Oil leak
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27.1%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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25.2%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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24.9%
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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18.8%
Horn not working
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18.7%
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Austin Mini?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.