MINI COUNTRYMAN Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,996 MOT tests from 379 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every MINI COUNTRYMAN has the same fault.

MINI COUNTRYMAN's have a very good reliability rating of 742/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MINI COUNTRYMAN that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MINI COUNTRYMAN.

MINI COUNTRYMAN (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	788/999Very good	72,623 miles	1,080 vehicles
Petrol	2019	859/999Excellent	81,905 miles	5,241 vehicles
Diesel	2018	762/999Very good	76,422 miles	2,018 vehicles
Petrol	2017	784/999Very good	66,751 miles	4,124 vehicles
Diesel	2015	711/999Very good	77,602 miles	4,161 vehicles
Petrol	2014	756/999Very good	66,707 miles	4,014 vehicles
Diesel	2013	693/999Good	77,510 miles	3,503 vehicles
Diesel	2012	677/999Good	78,671 miles	2,311 vehicles
Diesel	2011	648/999Good	76,602 miles	554 vehicles

How reliable is the MINI COUNTRYMAN?

Based on 2,996 MOT tests from 379 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

379

MOT tests

2,996

Pass rate

86.1%

Median mileage

67,854 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MINI COUNTRYMAN has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 758 out of 999.

Common MINI COUNTRYMAN MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 538 advisory comments and 107 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 111 advisory comments and 7 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 80 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 28 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 19 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

MINI COUNTRYMAN MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	16	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	12	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	13	16	87.5%	Tyre wear
2022	6	11	90.9%	Tyre wear
2021	15	52	82.7%	Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
2020	20	97	85.6%	Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
2019	31	175	90.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	33	217	91.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	33	261	90.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	28	249	88.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	31	316	84.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	65	751	85.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	16	191	85.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	24	321	84.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	18	273	81.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used MINI COUNTRYMAN

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a MINI COUNTRYMAN?

Common problems tell you what can affect MINI COUNTRYMANs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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