The Lemon Index
2023
20253rd generation (F56)
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,626 in the U.S. in 2024 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Mini sent dealers 31 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The left charge air line can fail and cause an induction leak”?
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 2 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 →
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 38.7M views · 2014–2024 Mini Cooper
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring485K views
How To Reset Oil Life On 2014 - 2021 Mini Cooper - Clear Service Due Light After Oil ChangePYR Automotive · 147K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical238K views
How To Unlock, Open & Start 2014 - 2021 Mini Cooper With Dead Remote Key Fob BatteryPYR Automotive · 129K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service158K views
How To Reset Oil Life On 2014 - 2021 Mini Cooper / maintenance reminder resetOil Light Reset · 95K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter76K views
HOW TO: Replace Shifter Solenoid/Assembly on 2014-2019 Mini Cooper F-ChassisGavin · 76K views
Before you buy, watch
THE MINI (F55/F56/3rd gen) BUYERS GUIDE | AVOID THIS CAR until you watch this!Scottish Car Clan · 243K views
Should You Buy a MINI COOPER S D? (Test Drive & Review F56)High Peak Autos · 160K views
MINI Cooper SE / Electric (F56): 5 ANNOYING PROBLEMS After Half a Year of OwnershipMartin Karel · 69K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2024 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 31 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The left charge air line can fail and cause an induction leak
- Due to a manufacturing defect, the left charge air line can fail and cause an induction leak
- A Check Control message displays for Transmission oil service required (ID 2120)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Cooper SE 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,350–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mini Cooper year. 2024 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 2024 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mini-cooper/?y=2024" 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/2024/">Lemon Index</a> (2024 Mini Cooper reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2024 Mini Cooper reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,626 were sold in the U.S. in 2024 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2024 Mini Cooper problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (50%), engine (50%) and visibility (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2024 Mini Cooper have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2024 Mini Cooper get?
25 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2024 Mini Cooper have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2024 Mini Cooper cost in fuel a year?
About $2,350 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2024 Mini Cooper have?
1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mini Cooper year is better than the 2024?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter 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