Used car guide

2011 MINI Clubman: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 MINI Clubmans, from 122 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 122 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

122MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,100typical miles a year
30%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2011 MINI Clubman MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    23% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    23% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    18% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a MINI Clubman?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022229Tyres 28%
2021181Tyres 27%
2019337Tyres 29%
20186,262Tyres 33%
20178,169Tyres 32%
20168,942Tyres 32%
20151,440Tyres 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 MINI Clubmans registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score