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2012 MINI Cooper S 1.6L Petrol · MF12 SWO

MF12 SWO

2012 MINI Cooper S (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2012. Recorded mileage 66,601 miles. MOT valid until 15 Apr 2027. Taxed until 01 Jul 2027.

Make & Model
MINI COOPER S
Year / Origin
2012 · Manchester & Merseyside
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 15 Apr 2027
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Jul 2027)
Recorded Mileage
66,601 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 1.6L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 15 Apr 2027
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Jul 2027
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
2012
Engine
1600cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle shows a stable maintenance trend based on the most recent MOT results. The March 2026 test indicates a failure followed by a successful retest on the same day, although the specific reason for the initial failure was not documented in the provided record. Since that retest, the vehicle has maintained a clean pass record with no recorded defects or advisories for the three consecutive years between 2023 and 2026. The recorded mileage of 66,601 miles is low for a 2012 model, averaging approximately 4,757 miles per year. The MOT history shows consistent annual testing from April 2023 through to the March 2026 test. There are no significant gaps in the testing frequency, suggesting the vehicle has been subject to regular annual inspections despite the lower frequency of road use. Because the MOT records show no specific mechanical failures or advisories regarding suspension bushes, brake discs, or structural corrosion, a physical inspection should focus on components not always captured by MOT testing. Given the low annual mileage, a buyer should check for signs of age-related degradation such as perished rubber seals, perished tyre sidewalls, or seized brake calipers resulting from infrequent use. The lack of recorded advisories for exhaust emissions or suspension wear suggests these systems were within legal limits at the time of the last test, but manual verification of the drivetrain and underside for surface rust remains necessary. buying_score: 75 risk_level: Low.
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MF12 SWO Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 31/03/2026
  • 66,601 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring brakes items (3 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data

MF12 SWO MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 29 Aug 2026, 20:37
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2012 Mini Cooper S (MF12 SWO) between April 2023 and March 2026.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 31 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 10 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

MF12 SWO Mileage History

  1. 17/04/202349,264 mi
  2. 09/04/202459,354 mi+10,090 mi
  3. 16/04/202563,924 mi+4,570 mi
  4. 31/03/202666,601 mi+2,677 mi
  5. 31/03/202666,601 mi

Average of roughly 5,869 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
85
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

Valid MOT
Taxed
Good MOT pass rate (80%)
Older vehicle
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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
78/100
Risk Level
Low
Low
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,500
Mileage
At 66,601 miles, this vehicle's mileage ...

Our Verdict

This is a solid option for a buyer looking for a relatively low-mileage 2012 MINI Cooper S. The recent MOT history shows a consistent pattern of passing without recorded defects over the last few years.

When inspecting this 1.6L petrol Cooper S, focus on the service history to see if the turbocharger and cooling system have been regularly maintained, as these are critical for this engine variant. Given the recent MOT failure at 66,601 miles (though no specific defect was listed in the summary), ensure the issue that caused the failure was rectified and documented.

Check the condition of the tyres and brake pads during your viewing, as these are common failure points for this model according to aggregate data. You should also inspect the underside for any signs of oil leaks or excessive corrosion, which are standard checks for a vehicle of this age.

The 1598cc petrol engine is designed for a balance of performance and economy, though insurance groups for the Cooper S variant tend to be higher than the standard Cooper. Fuel economy will depend largely on driving style, but you should expect typical small-displacement turbocharged petrol figures.

Maintenance costs for MINI models can be higher than average due to specialist parts requirements. Expect typical running costs to include regular servicing, tyre replacements, and brake maintenance, which are the most frequent MOT concerns for this model type.

Pay close attention to the braking system. Aggregate data for this model highlights brake pads and imbalanced brakes as top failure reasons, so listen for squealing or grinding during a test drive.

Additionally, inspect the tyres for uneven wear. Since tyres are a primary reason for MOT failures in this model group, checking their tread depth and condition is essential. Finally, verify that the recent MOT failure at 66,601 miles was addressed by checking the repair invoice or the updated MOT certificate details.

This Blue 2012 MINI Cooper S has covered 66,601 miles as of its last MOT in March 2026. Compared to the model average of 6,406 miles per year, this vehicle's mileage is slightly above average for its age. The MOT record shows five recorded tests, with the most recent being a pass in March 2026 following a failure at the same mileage reading.

The MINI Cooper S shows an average MOT pass rate of 88.0% across the 98,440 vehicles analysed in this dataset.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns