1973 Austin Mini MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Mini models manufactured in 1973, based on 160 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1973 Austin Mini MOT Analysis
The 1973 Austin Mini has an MOT pass rate of 70.0% based on 160 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,155 miles on the odometer. With a 30.0% failure rate, the 1973 Mini is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1973 Austin Mini is Suspension, responsible for 3.8% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the second most common issue at 3.8%.
Top failures specific to 1973 models only. The overall Mini page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 3.8% | 6 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.8% | 6 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,155 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.73 | 3.8% | 6 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.73 | 3.8% | 6 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1973 Austin Mini has an MOT pass rate of 70.0% based on 160 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,155 miles on the odometer. With a 30.0% failure rate, the 1973 Mini is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1973 Austin Mini, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. At 51,155 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 3.8% of failures
Suspension issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on 1973 Austin Mini models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 3.8% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on 1973 Austin Mini models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.