How reliable is the Mini Cooper S?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Mini Cooper S consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. The most commonly reported issues are wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a tyre seriously damaged, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Above average reliability
Based on 47,590 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 91.9%.
Mini Cooper S reliability by year
How the Mini Cooper S performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 66.1% | – |
| 2003 | 71.1% | – |
| 2004 | 67.3% | – |
| 2005 | 66.1% | – |
| 2006 | 62.5% | – |
| 2007 | 76.5% | – |
| 2008 | 72.4% | – |
| 2009 | 75% | – |
| 2010 | 77.4% | – |
| 2011 | 82.8% | – |
| 2012 | 82.6% | – |
| 2013 | 83.8% | – |
| 2014 | 86.2% | – |
| 2015 | 87.8% | – |
| 2016 | 89% | – |
| 2017 | 89.9% | 55,950 km |
| 2018 | 91.4% | 50,654 km |
| 2019 | 91.9% | 50,630 km |
| 2020 | 92.4% | 50,796 km |
| 2021 | 92.8% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Mini Cooper S as a model. The reliability of any individual Mini Cooper S also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mini Cooper S reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Mini Cooper S consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 92%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Mini Cooper S?
The most common owner-reported issues are: Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (1.6% of inspections); A tyre seriously damaged (1.2% of inspections); The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (0.6% of inspections); Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (0.5% of inspections); A tyre seriously damaged (0.5% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Mini Cooper S?
For a typical Mini Cooper S, owner-reported average mileage works out to about 33,033 km at 3 years, 50,630 km at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Mini Cooper S before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.