Used car guide

2004 MINI ONE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 MINI ONEs, from 134 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 134 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

134MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 MINI ONEs than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    MINI ONE
    38.1% All 2004 cars
    17.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 2004 MINI ONE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    57% 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.

  • Suspension
    53% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,208Tyres 28%
20211,313Tyres 29%
20201,138Tyres 30%
20191,556Tyres 32%
20181,568Tyres 30%
20175,366Tyres 32%
20168,296Tyres 31%
201510,360Tyres 31%
20146,152Tyres 31%
20137,001Tyres 32%
20124,267Tyres 32%
20111,045Tyres 34%
2010599Tyres 33%
2009343Tyres 33%
2008290Brakes 39%
2007252Lights and electrics 38%
2006183Brakes 52%
2005196Brakes 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 MINI ONEs registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score