Are MINI Coopers Expensive To Maintain?

in Car Costs and Prices
Black MINI Cooper

Source: Flickr

MINI Cooper is an iconic British name in the car world, known for their notable vehicle design and distinct compact style. Although they’re small, some options can be expensive, so it’s ideal to determine if you can afford them before making a final decision. Part of the cost of ownership is upkeep - are MINI Coopers expensive to maintain?

Experienced car owners will know that maintenance is a necessary part of owning every vehicle, and some cars are more expensive than others. A car like the MINI Cooper might be pricier because the car components are specialty. Read on to learn more about how much it will cost to maintain MINI Coopers and other helpful information. 

How Much Are MINI Coopers to Maintain?

Let’s begin with the core question - are MINI Coopers expensive to maintain? According to caredge.com, the MINI Cooper will cost around $8,155 for maintenance and repairs over the first decade of ownership. This number is $1,341 over the average for the industry, which is a significant and unfortunate number for the vehicle. 

If you find a need for a random repair throughout the year with your MINI Cooper, there is an 18.43% chance the repair will be severe. This number is around 2% better than the industry average, so the MINI Cooper performs well in this area. However, it isn’t by too much.

If you’re hunting for a vehicle that will keep costs low in maintenance and repairs, the MINI Cooper is not the way to go. Their typical price points are far over other competitors on the market.


BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 


Why Keep Up with MINI Cooper Maintenance?

Those who are happy owners of a MINI Cooper must pay a significant amount of money each year to perform maintenance. For some, it might seem better to avoid maintenance at all costs. Why keep up with the recommended upkeep for your MINI Cooper?

According to schearers.com, here are a few reasons to keep up with MINI Cooper maintenance. It will:

  • Maintain engine efficiency
  • Keep up with resale value
  • Ensure long-term expenses remain low 

There’s much to enjoy in the future of the MINI Cooper if you keep up with it.

There might be some moments when you take the MINI Cooper in for maintenance and there is nothing wrong with it, but it’s worth it. Following the recommended upkeep schedule will benefit your MINI Cooper’s expenses. 

Are MINI Coopers Reliable?

It’s always an excellent idea to check out dependability when examining the maintenance cost of MINI Coopers, as this price point will influence how much it costs to keep the MINI Cooper in line throughout the year. According to repairpal.com, the MINI Cooper doesn’t perform too well - it receives a ⅗ and ranks 21st out of 21 subcompact car categories. 

Although the MINI Cooper is a fun drive, the performance in the reliability department is less than ideal. This fact might lead to higher ownership costs along the way.

Here are the categories that impact the MINI Cooper’s dependability:

  • Typical annual repair cost: It costs an average of $846 a year for MINI Cooper maintenance, which is higher than the $456 average for subcompact cars and $652 for other vehicles. 
  • Average repairs per year: The average MINI Cooper goes in for repairs .6 times a year, compared to .3 for subcompact cars and .4 for other vehicles.
  • Severity of repairs: There is a 13% chance a repair will be severe, compared to an 11% average for subcompact cars and 12% average for traditional vehicles. 

Unfortunately for the MINI Cooper, it falls behind in every category. 

Those behind the wheel of the MINI Cooper reveal it’s thrilling to drive and offers an attractive appearance. However, it will be a pain in maintenance and upkeep costs.


ARE MINI COOPERS RELIABLE?

Are Mini Coopers reliable? Buyers looking to drive a new or used Mini Cooper but are concerned about its reliability have come to the right place. 


Common Issues and Costs of Maintenance for MINI Coopers 

When asking the question - are MINI Coopers expensive to maintain - it’s helpful to check out the most common maintenance expenditures throughout the year for the MINI Cooper, along with how much it will cost to perform them. We’ll also dive into why they are a must for the status of the MINI Cooper.

Oil Change

When: MINI Cooper recommends going for an oil change every 4,000-6,000 miles.

Cost: It will cost around $150-$190 for an oil change in the MINI Cooper.

Why: For your engine to continue running correctly and operate efficiently, oil changes are necessary.

Tire Replacement

When: It’s recommended to replace MINI Cooper tires every 5,000-7,500 miles.  

Cost: It will cost around $600-$800 to replace the tires on your MINI Cooper.

Why: If you want to remain safe and secure in your MINI Cooper, tire replacements are necessary.

Cabin Air Filter Replacement

When: MINI Cooper recommends replacing the cabin air filter every 15,000 miles.

Cost: It will cost between $90-$116 to replace the cabin air filter in your MINI Cooper.

Why: For fresh air and constant circulation in the cabin, it’s necessary to keep up with filter changes.

Spark Plug Replacement

When: MINI Cooper recommends replacing the spark plugs every three years, or around 30,000 miles.

Cost: It will cost around $145-$205 to deal with a spark plug replacement.

Why: It’s necessary to replace spark plugs to keep your MINI Cooper in motion.

Engine Replacement

When: If you’ve invested in an expensive MINI Cooper model, an engine replacement is necessary if something breaks, or efficiency falls significantly. 

Cost: It will cost around $4,000 to replace the engine in a MINI Cooper.

Why: It’s often cheaper to replace the engine in a pricey MINI Cooper than to purchase an entirely new machine. 


WHO MAKES MINI COOPER CARS? WHAT TO KNOW

If you’ve ever found yourself admiring the sleek design of a MINI Cooper, you might have pondered the question, “who makes MINI Cooper cars?”


Is a MINI Cooper Worth Investing In?

Are MINI Coopers expensive to maintain? The resounding answer to this question is yes, with the MINI Cooper offering far higher than expected costs and falling behind in price points for the severity of repairs and costs over the years. One question remains - is it worth it to purchase a MINI Cooper for yourself? 

If you are in love with the look and driving ability of the MINI Cooper, it’s a solid selection. However, we don’t recommend it if you care about keeping the costs for your vehicle as low as possible over the years.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.