The Lemon Index
2024
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,818 in the U.S. in 2025 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 30–32 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
- Were recalls 26V422000 (brakes), 25V616000 (seat belts) and 24V697000 (stability control) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- 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.
- Mini sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Various operation faults with the infotainment system such as: Resets of the head unit”?
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 6 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 →
Problems Mini told dealers about
Mini sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Various operation faults with the infotainment system such as: Resets of the head unit
- When the customer attempts to use the Bluetooth system, they find it is not functioning
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Brakes · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2025
The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
- Stability control · recall issued 2024
Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models.
Show all 4 recalls
- Stability control · recall issued 2024
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years.
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
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,350–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mini Cooper year. 2025 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.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2025 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mini-cooper/?y=2025" 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/2025/">Lemon Index</a> (2025 Mini Cooper reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2025 Mini Cooper reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,818 were sold in the U.S. in 2025 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2025 Mini Cooper problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are stability control (33%), brakes (33%) and engine (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Mini Cooper have?
4 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Mini Cooper get?
30 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2025 Mini Cooper have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2025 Mini Cooper cost in fuel a year?
About $2,350 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Mini Cooper have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mini Cooper year is better than the 2025?
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