2013 MINI First: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 MINI Firsts, from 795 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 MINI Firsts than on all cars registered in 2013.
- Brake lights2.7× usualMINI First9.8% All 2013 cars3.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Number plate lights2× usualMINI First11.9% All 2013 cars6.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Sub-frame2.1× usualMINI First7.8% All 2013 cars3.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.5% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars.
By area
The share of 2013 MINI First MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres32% 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.
- Lights and electrics31% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes24% 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.
- Suspension21% 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 mirrors9% 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 leaks6% 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.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Timing chain rattle (petrol)Petrol
Worn timing chains and guides are a known costly repair on these petrol engines, often from low oil levels.
At the viewing: Ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive. A rattle on a cold start is a warning sign.
Source: Parkers: MINI hatch buying guide
- Turbo wear (Cooper S)Turbo petrol models
High oil use can wear the turbo quickly on turbo petrol models.
At the viewing: Once warm, rev it hard and look for blue smoke or a burning oil smell.
Source: Parkers: MINI hatch buying guide
- Worn water pump
A whistle at idle that goes when you blip the throttle usually means the water pump is worn.
At the viewing: Listen at tickover once the engine is warm.
If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic
Source: Parkers: MINI hatch buying guide
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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 MINI Firsts registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score