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MINI Paceman R61 (2013-2016) reliability

At a glance

MINI Paceman R61 built around 2016: fails its MOT less often than average

MINI Paceman R61 models built around 2016 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a MINI Paceman R61?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on MINI Paceman R61 models built around 2016 ended in a fail (retests included), against 21% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on MINI Paceman R61 models built around 2016 involves the tyres.

MINI Paceman R61
excellent reliability2013-2016SUVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 9,114 tests of Paceman models registered 2013-2016.

About 1 in 50 Paceman R61 MOTs (1.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2016 (9 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,971 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Paceman R61 MOTs (4.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2016 (9 years old).

Based on 1,971 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

R61 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
58815.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,97113.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,32515.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,98217.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
24816.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 11 years old.

How the Paceman R61 compares

At each age below, see how the Paceman R61 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 74,778 tests across 5 MINI models, built around 2016 (9 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMINI average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
58815.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,97113.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,32515.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,98217.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
24816.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Paceman R61.

  1. 1

    Land Rover Discovery

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    No clear edge over the MINI Paceman R61 on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,746 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.3%, against 13.3% for the MINI Paceman R61, both built around 2016.

    1,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  3. 3

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.7%, against 4.6% for the MINI Paceman R61.

    4,401 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 3.3%, against 4.6% for the MINI Paceman R61.

    4,025 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

94%of all MINI Paceman cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

2 recalls in all

Both Paceman R61 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 1 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of fire
  • Adaption measure for the emission control system R60 / R61 N47T

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Paceman R61 cars have aged

How Paceman R61 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%56789101112Age at MOTBuilt around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (1,025 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (984 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (968 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (984 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (948 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (1,508 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (1,486 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (1,449 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (1,402 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (1,374 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (2,655 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.6% (2,582 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (2,508 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (2,490 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (2,431 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (317 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (286 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (255 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.6% (244 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (248 tests, 2025 data)2013
First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
R61 variants compared

Paceman R61 variants built around 2016

The fail rate for each Paceman R61 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • PACEMAN12.8%1,182 tests

Diesel

  • PACEMAN14.1%789 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on MINI Pacemans of this age

This list covers every MINI Paceman built around 2016, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the R61 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.2%
    Advisory: 568Fail: 37 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.3%
    Advisory: 276Fail: 53 (16% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.7%
    Advisory: 176Fail: 15 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.4%
    Advisory: 168Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    4.0%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,971 tests

Looking at a MINI Paceman R61?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2016 (9 years old), the MINI Paceman R61 (2013-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,971 9-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 9,114 MOT tests on MINI Pacemans first registered between 2013-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.