Used car guide

2016 MINI Countryman: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 MINI Countrymans, from 9,175 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,175MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
6,400typical miles a year
30%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2016 MINI Countryman MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% 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
    6% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a MINI Countryman?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023528Tyres 11%
20228,018Tyres 22%
20217,456Tyres 23%
20208,100Tyres 27%
201913,896Tyres 28%
201813,862Tyres 29%
201710,970Tyres 28%
20159,114Tyres 30%
201412,635Tyres 31%
20132,843Tyres 31%
20122,500Tyres 34%
20112,720Tyres 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 MINI Countrymans registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score