The Lemon Index
2006
20082nd generation (R56)
61 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2007 Honda Fit 1532007 Toyota Yaris 512007 Nissan Versa 80
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2007 Mini Cooper
- Timing chain114 complaintsmostly at 41,000–82,000 miles (66,000–132,000 km)
- Engine failure41 complaintsmostly at 52,000–81,000 miles (84,000–130,000 km)
- Engine stalling35 complaintsmostly at 33,000–74,000 miles (53,000–119,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 382 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Mini Cooper (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 31,000 miles (8,000–50,000 km) (the middle half of the 53 complaints, of all 61 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V337000 (electrical), 18V248000 (engine) and 12V008000 (engine) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Mini sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rattle noise from engine”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mini's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 61 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 31K miles (8K to 50K km) on the car (53 of all 61 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Car clunks while going over rough roads. As per diagnosis from Mini dealership, the "transmission motor mount is too small and does not dampen shock from road bumps or acceleration torque" and was replaced.
2007 Mini Cooper owner · NHTSA complaint 10254199
More owner reports
Received blistering and permanent scaring burn from exhaust pipe while removing cargo from rear of vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10237635
I burned my lower front leg on the chrome tipped dual exhaust pipes of out 2007 Mini Cooper s (turbo version).
NHTSA complaint 10230477
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 33.6M views · 2007–2013 Mini Cooper
Most-watched topics
- Timing chain & engine1.1M views
MINI R56 Timing Chain Replacement DIY (2007-2010 MINI Cooper S and 2009-2012 JCW's) N14 & N12 EngineFCP Euro · 514K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical1.0M views
2007-2013 Mini Cooper S (R56) Battery ReplacementEricTheCarGuy · 299K views · 7 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors950K views
Mini Cooper R56 1.6 petrol Camshaft sensor common fault 2968 2993 2982 P0343Mustang Motors · 251K views · 7 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets760K views
Mini Cooper Oil Leak Repairs (R56/N14)EricTheCarGuy · 468K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system646K views
How to check the coolant temperature - R56 Mini Cooper hidden menuProject Mini · 420K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank639K views
Mini Cooper S R56 High Pressure Fuel Pump Issuewelshweeks · 333K views · 3 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors434K views
2011 mini cooper door panel removalmemotlaza · 233K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service413K views
MINI Cooper (R56, R55, R57) 2007-2011 - Tire pressure monitor reset - DIY RepairBentleyPublishers · 330K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Mini Cooper Hatchback 2007-2013 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.0M views
R56 Mini Cooper S - 5 ways to make it more reliableBimmer Dude (AJ) · 424K views
Mini Cooper R56 Problems to ExpectSimpleCarGuy · 168K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2007 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mini told dealers about
Mini sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rattle noise from engine
- Mini- r5 & r56 (cooper; cooper s) with getrag 6 speed manual transmission: complaint of an…
- Turbocharger failure; oil supply line blockage
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Engine · recall issued 2018
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Engine · recall issued 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVER…
Show all 4 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2008
BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2011–2012
- ClosedExhaust pipe burns2008–2009
- ClosedExhaust pipe burns2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$3,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Mini Cooper year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (2002–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 19 Mini Cooper years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2007 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mini-cooper/?y=2007" title="Mini Cooper reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="583" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mini-cooper/2007/">Lemon Index</a> (2007 Mini Cooper reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2007 Mini Cooper reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 164; 100 is average, lower is better). 2007 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws a bit under half as many complaints as the average car. The Mini Cooper year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2013.
What are the most common 2007 Mini Cooper problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (59%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and airbags (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Mini Cooper have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Mini Cooper get?
23 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Mini Cooper problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 31,000 miles (8,000–50,000 km) (the middle half of the 53 complaints, of all 61 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2007 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2007 Mini Cooper have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Mini Cooper cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Mini Cooper have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Mini Cooper year is better than the 2007?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2013 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works