Mini Cooper S (2018)

9,746 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.4% first-time pass rate

2018 Mini Cooper S

CarHunch analysed 9,746 real MOT records for the 2018 Mini Cooper S. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability 10.4% above UK average
90.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
28,851
typical mileage
21,287–37,750 middle half
20.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.59
avg MOT failures per car
over 5.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2018 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.
  • ⚠️ 20.2% 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.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (97%) 9,475 90.3% 0.59
Diesel (2%) 189 89.6% 0.73
Other (1%) 80 99.1% 0.04
Other (0%) 1 100% 0
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 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.

21,287
low mileage
28,851
typical
37,750
high mileage

Half of all 2018 Mini Cooper S vehicles fall between 21,287 and 37,750 miles.

2018 Mini Cooper S — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 9,306 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.

9,288 9,306 2021 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

5.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.59
Avg failures per vehicle
3.6
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mini Cooper S?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mini Cooper S:

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023