Mini Cooper S (2004)
2004 Mini Cooper S
CarHunch analysed 235 real MOT records for the 2004 Mini Cooper S. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 MINI Cooper S has a first-time pass rate of 75.8%, slightly below the UK average of 80%, and nearly half of these cars (45.5%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for a buyer. This suggests the model carries inherent reliability challenges beyond typical wear-and-tear issues.
At 70,480 miles on average, these cars are reasonably well-preserved for their age, yet they're still racking up 5.37 failures and 38.6 advisories per test, pointing to chronic minor issues rather than catastrophic breakdowns. If you're considering one, budget for regular maintenance and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake and suspension components—the high dangerous defect rate suggests those areas warrant close scrutiny.
What to check before buying a 2004 Mini Cooper S
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.
- ⚠️ 45.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Mini Cooper S
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 234 | 75.7% | 5.39 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Mini Cooper S 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 2004 Mini Cooper S vehicles fall between 55,871 and 83,752 miles.
2004 Mini Cooper S — Still on the Road
134 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mini Cooper S?
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