Does the Austin Mini fail the MOT on seat belts and airbags more than it should?
The Austin Mini records 2.12 seat belts and airbags failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.28 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.16, 95% interval −1.40 to −0.92). It ranks 545 of 627 models on seat belts and airbags (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on seat belts and airbags · check a Austin Mini by registration
What exactly fails on seat belts and airbags?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Austin Mini is “The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired”, recorded 291 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 291 | 1.34 |
| Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 44 | 0.20 |
| A statutory seat belt missing | 36 | 0.17 |
| A seat belt anchorage loose | 30 | 0.14 |
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
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 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Austin Mini road wheels failures · Austin Mini steering failures · Austin Mini suspension failures · Austin Mini tyres failures · Austin Mini visibility failures