The Lemon Index
200720092nd generation (R56)
64 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Honda Fit 622008 Toyota Yaris 562008 Nissan Versa 96
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Mini Cooper
- Timing chain86 complaintsmostly at 38,000–70,000 miles (62,000–113,000 km)
- Turbocharger33 complaintsmostly at 49,000–68,000 miles (80,000–109,000 km)
- Engine failure31 complaintsmostly at 33,000–70,000 miles (53,000–113,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 8,900 and 37,000 miles (14,000–60,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 64 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.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mini sent dealers 123 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Mini- r5 & r56 (cooper; cooper s) with getrag 6 speed manual transmission: complaint of an…”?
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 64 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 8K to 37K miles (14K to 60K km) on the car (56 of all 64 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
2008 Mini Cooper s. No engine modification. Loud knocking noise on start up and continues for about 5 mins of driving and then goes away. Mile is under 8900 miles.
2008 Mini Cooper owner · NHTSA complaint 10370900
More owner reports
"passenger airbag off" light will illuminate, indicating that passenger airbag is turned off, when a full sized adult is occupying the passenger seat with seat belt buckled.
NHTSA complaint 10292529
"passenger air bag off" light on intermittently. I bring to dealer for repair three times, but dealer found nothing wrong. And my problem continue.
NHTSA complaint 10242487
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 2008 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 123 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Mini- r5 & r56 (cooper; cooper s) with getrag 6 speed manual transmission: complaint of an…
- Turbocharger failure; oil supply line blockage
- Service engine soon or check gas cap warning is illuminated: tank leakage
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
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 $2,350–$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. 2008 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 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mini-cooper/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Mini Cooper reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mini Cooper reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 119; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mini Cooper year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2013.
What are the most common 2008 Mini Cooper problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (62%), airbags (11%) and transmission & drivetrain (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 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 2008 Mini Cooper get?
23 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mini Cooper problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,900 and 37,000 miles (14,000–60,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 64 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 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 2008 Mini Cooper have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Mini Cooper cost in fuel a year?
About $2,350 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mini Cooper have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Mini Cooper year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third 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