Used car guide

2018 MINI Mini (R57): common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 MINI Mini (R57)s, from 249 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 249 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

249MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 MINI Mini (R57)s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Tyre condition2.2× usual
    MINI Mini (R57)
    30.1% All 2018 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.1%, against 3.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

By area

The share of 2018 MINI Mini (R57) MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    15% 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
    7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

  • Steering
    1% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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 spring
    Manual 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

    Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

  • Jumping out of gear
    Manual 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.

    Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

  • Paint worn at the door pillar
    All 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.

    Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

Looking at a MINI Mini (R57)?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012480Lights and electrics 31%
2011847Lights and electrics 33%
2010584Lights and electrics 35%
2009256Lights and electrics 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 MINI Mini (R57)s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score