Mini Mini Cooper (2004)
2004 Mini Mini Cooper
CarHunch analysed 715 real MOT records for the 2004 Mini Mini Cooper. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 MINI Cooper is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 48.7% against the national 80%—a serious red flag for any potential buyer. Petrol versions perform particularly badly at 29.7% pass rate, while the "Other" fuel variants (likely supercharged models) manage a healthier 73.5%, suggesting significant differences in how different powertrains age.
These cars have covered an average of 74,451 miles by their MOT testing, which is reasonable for a 20-year-old vehicle, but the real story emerges in what inspectors find: 1.22 failures and 2.9 advisories per vehicle on average tells you maintenance costs will be regular and frequent. If you're seriously considering one, budget for persistent small repairs, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on electrics and cooling systems (common Mini weak points), and strongly favour the non-petrol variants if you want better odds of passing its next MOT.
What to check before buying a 2004 Mini Mini Cooper
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 Mini Mini Cooper
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 (57%) | 404 | 29.7% | 0.9 |
| Other (43%) | 311 | 73.5% | 1.63 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Mini Mini Cooper 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 Mini Cooper vehicles fall between 27,322 and 64,033 miles.
2004 Mini Mini Cooper — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 111 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% of peak).
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 Mini Cooper?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.