MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Austin Mini fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?

The Austin Mini records 10.21 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 10.62 expected for a car of the same age mix: about as expected for its class and age (the difference is within its interval or under 0.5 items per 100 tests) (−0.41, 95% interval −0.84 to +0.02). It ranks 358 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Austin Mini by registration

What exactly fails on visibility?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Austin Mini is “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen”, recorded 878 times in 2019–2024.

Austin Mini: most frequent visibility defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen8784.04
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen5752.65
Wiper not operating or missing2281.05
Wiper blade defective1910.88
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view1460.67

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 seat belts and airbags failures · Austin Mini steering failures · Austin Mini suspension failures · Austin Mini tyres failures