Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Mini Cooper S?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Mini Cooper S?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Mini Cooper S?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Mini Cooper S vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Mini Cooper S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 469 vehicles, the 2009 Mini Cooper S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Mini Cooper S?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mini Cooper S (2009)

469 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.6% first-time pass rate

2009 Mini Cooper S

CarHunch analysed 469 real MOT records for the 2009 Mini Cooper S. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 469 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2009 MINI Cooper S falls well short of the UK average, with only 70% passing their MOT on the first attempt against the national 80% benchmark—and that's before accounting for the fact that over a quarter of these cars (27.7%) have recorded dangerous defects. The petrol variants manage just 66.6% first-time pass rates, suggesting mechanical gremlins are a real concern with this generation.

At just over 53,000 miles median mileage for a 15-year-old car, these are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they're still racking up an average of 2.27 failures and 14.1 advisories per test—a sign that age and design issues matter more than usage here. Before buying, insist on a full service history and have a trusted mechanic inspect the cooling system, electrics, and suspension, as these tend to be where MINI Cooper S models of this era show their weaknesses.

The 2009 Mini Cooper S has a decent first-time pass rate (82.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

82.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

27.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.27

Over 11.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

53k

Middle half: 40k–65k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 14.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 469 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 469 Mini Cooper S cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Mini Cooper S

Based on MOT data from 469 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (86%)	403	81.1%	2.56
Other (14%)	64	91.9%	0.48

Colour Breakdown

Based on 95,592 Mini Cooper S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 23.7%

22,660

Black 17.4%

16,594

Blue 16.8%

16,045

Silver 12.7%

12,179

Red 10.2%

9,716

White 8.3%

7,897

Green 5.9%

5,674

Orange 3.2%

3,027

Turquoise 0.9%

858

Yellow 0.7%

667

Brown 0.2%

223

Cream 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Mini Cooper S vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

53,041

typical

40,258

low mileage

64,775

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Mini Cooper S vehicles fall between 40,258 and 64,775 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 40,258 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 40,258–64,775 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Mini Cooper Ss sit.

⚠ Over 87,446 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Mini Cooper S — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Mini Cooper Ss are still being driven.

Strong survival — 276 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 83% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.27

Avg failures per vehicle

14.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mini Cooper S: All Cooper S years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Mini Cooper S stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing