Does the Austin Mini fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Austin Mini records 11.63 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.26 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+4.37, 95% interval +3.91 to +4.82). It ranks 44 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Austin Mini by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Austin Mini is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 2,057 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 2,057 | 9.47 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 149 | 0.69 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 109 | 0.50 |
| The engine is idling at a speed clearly above its normal idling speed | 61 | 0.28 |
| An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels | 47 | 0.22 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 21,727 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Austin Mini gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
11.2% of Austin Mini MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 438 miles later (1,934 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,934 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Austin Mini by postcode area · Austin Mini body, chassis and structure failures · Austin Mini brakes failures · Austin Mini vehicle identification failures · Austin Mini lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Austin Mini road wheels failures · Austin Mini seat belts and airbags failures · Austin Mini steering failures · Austin Mini suspension failures · Austin Mini tyres failures · Austin Mini visibility failures