The Mini Cooper was the basis of British culture in the 1960’s, and it voted the second most influential car of the 20th century. Currently owned by BMW, it is still very popular all over the world and can be seen on highways everywhere . But, are Mini Coopers Reliable?
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Are Mini Coopers Reliable?
The Mini Cooper’s reliability score is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks 21st out of the 21 subcompact cars on RepairPal’s list.
The average annual Mini Coopers maintenance cost is $846 and it has higher than usual ownership costs – compared to an average for all vehicles at $456 with a frequency that is lower than most other models but has more problems when they do occur than others in its class (average severity).
Overall, this car gets much positive feedback from buyers who are happy with their purchase!
Repairpal On Mini Cooper Reliability
The Mini Cooper has a 3.0 rating of 5.0 in the small car segment, according to a RepairPal reliability study based on the cost of ownership and annual maintenance of each car from 2013 to 2017.
The average repair cost is $ 846 Minis compared to just $ 456 with other cars; Given that difference, it’s worth checking out the estimated cost of ownership before buying this mini model if you’re looking for something reliable but affordable!
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Consumer Reports on the Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper has been around for over 50 years. It’s a small, two-door car with four seats and a convertible top. Consumer Reports rates the Mini Cooper as “Very Good” in its latest report of reliability and owner satisfaction.
This is because it performs well on safety tests, gets good gas mileage, and handles well.
The Mini Cooper has been a topic of conversation for years now, but recently it was given the lowest possible reliability score by Consumer Reports.
The car is easy to drive and low maintenance, however, CR’s analysis shows that problems can arise with major engine failure as well as electric system failures during these model years.
But there are some positives–the repairs needed were not extensive in comparison to other models on this list and its dependability ratings have significantly improved over the last couple of decades since its redesign in 2014 so drivers should feel confident when driving their Minis!
J.D. Power on Mini Cooper Reliability
J.D. Power also agrees that the Mini Cooper has come a long way in regards to reliability and satisfaction with their car’s dependability, as well!
In 2019, J.D. Power deemed the Mini Cooper as its most dependable compact car for drivers and ranked it fourth overall out of 32 brands surveyed by them four years ago; before then they had placed it at 28th place from among all cars assessed on quality here – so you can see how much progress this model has made over time! The 2020 Mini earned one more top spot: It came up first on J.D.Powers’ vehicle reliability list too.
Mini Cooper Problems
Variable Valve Timing problems
The timing chain and assembly are what keeps the engine from having slack. Without it, a car can be in danger of more potential damage.
Some preventive maintenance on MINI is important to avoid this issue as well so that you’re not left with an expensive bill if neglected.
Coolant Hose
The MINI Cooper’s ride height makes it susceptible to curbs and bumps, but the plastic radiator supports give us a bit of wiggle room.
Even if we bump into one of these hard objects at speed, our car is only going to sustain minimal damage. But any larger bulges in the road can be costly for drivers since they may affect coolant hoses which are sensitive areas that must not be compromised by anything other than water.
Loose timing belt
The timing belt and assembly wear because of the amount of slack it produces. It is crucial to quickly address this problem before more damage can occur, as neglecting the issue will lead to increased expense later on if not taken care of now.
Preventive maintenance for all MINI models could help avoid this type of issue by having a regular car maintenance program;
How much does it cost to repair a Mini Cooper?
The cost of a Mini Cooper repair varies depending on the problem. If you need to replace your radiator, it will be $700-$900.A new timing belt is about $400-$600.
Replacing your brake pads and rotors will cost around $500-800. A typical rear bumper replacement costs around $600, while a new radiator can be as much as $800. Parts for older models are more expensive than parts for newer models.
Mini Cooper on Gas Mileage
The APA is forcing BMW to settle claims for miles of 4 different Mini Coopers models. Prior to the Cooper 3-door MT it was reported to have a city / 34 mpg combined highway but the EPA found it to be 33 due to a drop in petrol vehicles in urban areas only after testing.
All other vehicles with this make and model had their combined fuel efficiency reduced by one mile because they fell below what BMW claimed each car could do on gas while driving around town or over long distances.
Best Year to Buy a Mini Cooper
The Mini has been a British icon for decades. It’s declined in the past few years and there have been some significant changes to it.
But, if you’re looking at buying one today, make sure that it was manufactured after 2014 because they’ve improved tremendously since then with BMW engineering and designing them more dependably!
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Ask a Mechanic Live NowFinal Words
If you’re looking to get a Mini Cooper at a discounted price, buying one used is an excellent choice. While reliability ratings for the new models are high, they must have been maintained and serviced regularly to maintain their quality over time.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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