Are MINI Coopers Reliable? [Here’s What We Think!] | FINN (2024)

Determining the MINI Cooper’sreliabilityrating (or a Volkswagen’s reliability rating or any other vehicle rating, for that matter) requires a deep look into the safety features and ratings, average repair costs, dependability, cost of ownership, and fuel efficiency ratings. The following sections break down these components individually for the MINI Cooper.

1. Safety ratings and features

The 2022 and 2023 MINI Cooper variants have yet to be rated by the NHTSA. However, the NHTSA’s website lists four complaints concerning the engine, tires, electrical system, and air recirculation system. While no recalls have been announced, the manufacturer has posted seven communications.

However, the IIHS did perform tests on the 2023 Hardtop 2 Door and 4 Door variants. The 2 Door model received a “Good” rating in all categories but only an “Acceptable” rating for the headlights. The LATCH ease of use test also yielded a “Marginal” result. The 4 Door version has no crashworthiness ratings, but again, the headlights scored “Acceptable.”

2. Average repair costs

A MINI Cooper's average annual maintenance cost is $854, over $200 more than the industry average of $652 in yearly repair costs. RepairPal ranks reliability 3 out of 5 for this British icon, putting it at 25 out of 32 car brands. MINIs also visit the shop an average of 0.6 times annually, compared to 0.4 times on average for all car brands. The brand suffers from a 13% chance of severe repairs, just one percent higher than the industry standard.

3. Cost of ownership

Car depreciation can hit a vehicle hard, which is the case with the MINI CooperHardtop in two- and four-door configurations. Though both rank high in the sporty compact car segment and the two-door ranks first in compact car and electric vehicle (EV) segments, depreciation hovers between $17,000 and $20,000. That’s about two-thirds of the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the 2024 MINI Electric Hardtop, which is $30,900.

Owning a 2023 MINI CooperHardtop 2 Door costs $33,813, while the Hardtop 4 Door tips the scales at $42,882. Second and third place in the sporty compact cars segment are the 2023 Honda Civic and 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Civic only depreciates just over $13,000, while the GTI rivals the Hardtop 4 Door’s cost of ownership at $42,488.

4. Dependability

J.D. Power awarded the MINI CooperHardtop an 81 out of 100 points overall. While the car scored well in quality and reliability, driving experience, and dealership experience, resale value dipped slightly at 73 out of 100. However, J.D. Power also ranked the MINI CooperHardtop first out of many compact sporty cars, including the Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86.

5. Fuel efficiency

FuelEconomy.gov holds the answer to the question of efficiency when it comes to the MINI Cooper. Of the most fuel-efficient cars of 2024, the MINI Cooper convertible ranks first in the minicompacts class. In the subcompacts category, the Hardtop 2 Door and 4 Door rival the Audi A3.

MINI also posts the following numbers for the corresponding models:

• 2023 MINI Cooper SE Hardtop 2 Door:119 city and 100 highway MPGe (110 combined)
• 2024 MINI CooperSHardtop 2 Door:28 city and 38 highway MPG (31 combined)
• 2023 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible:24 city and 33 highway MPG (27 combined)
• 2023 MINI CooperCountryman:26 city and 32 highway MPG (28 combined)

The MINI Cooper’s diminutive size helps it remain fuel-efficient in gas-powered versions alone. While the electric version obviously beats out the gas-powered models, it represents MINI’s venture into the EV segment, allowing it to compete with FIAT’s electric model, the 500e. The low center of gravity created by the electric battery may also help it corner better if there’s ever a sequel to The Italian Job.