MINI years to avoid
For every MINI model, the model years with more than twice that model's typical number of owner complaints, and the years with the fewest. Based on 4,988 owner complaints.
The worst MINI model years
Years to avoid from the last 20 model years, with the most owner complaints. The last column shows how far each year is above a typical year of the same MINI model.
| Car | Complaints | vs typical year | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 MINI Cooper S | 249 | 8.0x | Engine |
| 2006 MINI Cooper | 200 | 3.6x | Airbags |
| 2006 MINI Cooper S | 186 | 6.0x | Airbags |
| 2008 MINI Cooper S | 168 | 5.4x | Engine |
| 2009 MINI Cooper | 151 | 2.7x | Airbags |
MINI models: years to avoid and best years
Amber: more than twice the typical complaints for that model. Green: the years with the fewest complaints among years with enough cars on the road.
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper | 200220032004200520062009 | 201420162017 |
| Cooper S | 200320042005200620072008 | 201220132015 |
| Cooper Convertible | 2005 | 200720082016 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 2005 | 200720082009 |
| Cooper Clubman | None stand out | |
| Cooper Countryman | None stand out | |
| Countryman | None stand out | 201720182020 |
Questions about the MINI years to avoid
What MINI years should you avoid?
The MINI model years with the most owner complaints, each well above a typical year of the same model, are the 2007 Cooper S (8.0 times typical, mostly engine), the 2006 Cooper (3.6 times typical, mostly airbags), the 2006 Cooper S (6.0 times typical, mostly airbags), the 2008 Cooper S (5.4 times typical, mostly engine) and the 2009 Cooper (2.7 times typical, mostly airbags).
What is the most common problem with MINI vehicles?
Across all models, most MINI owner complaints are about steering, engine and airbags.
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