2021 MINI John Cooper Works: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 MINI John Cooper Workss, from 2,687 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2021 MINI John Cooper Works MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres22% 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.
- Brakes7% 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 mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics1% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts1% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Suspension1% 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.
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.
- Clutch hydraulics and pedal springManual gearbox
On manual cars the clutch can play up, either from the hydraulics or the pedal return spring.
At the viewing: Feel the clutch pedal on the test drive: it should be smooth and come back up fully.
If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic
- Jumping out of gearManual gearbox
Some cars jump out of gear, usually first gear at low speed. Adjusting the gear linkage usually fixes it.
At the viewing: Pull away in first several times and check it stays in gear.
- Paint worn at the door pillarAll engines
Door rubbers can wear through the paint on the pillar behind the front doors.
At the viewing: Open the doors and check the paint on the pillar.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,514 | Tyres 20% |
| 2020 | 3,082 | Tyres 23% |
| 2019 | 2,715 | Tyres 25% |
| 2018 | 2,890 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 3,028 | Tyres 24% |
| 2016 | 2,040 | Tyres 27% |
| 2015 | 1,658 | Tyres 24% |
| 2013 | 824 | Suspension 22% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 MINI John Cooper Workss registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score