What Year Is The Most Reliable Mini Cooper?
MINI Coopers are one of the most iconic vehicles on the road, not to mention one of the most stylish.
But style is not everything, and the reliability of a mini cooper is important.
What is the most reliable MINI Cooper?
What Year Is The Most Reliable Mini Cooper?
The most reliable year for the MINI Cooper is 2016 when it received a reliability rating of 84 out of 100 from J.D. Power. MINI Coopers made before 2016 typically have low reliability ratings. However, since 2016 MINI Coopers have received relatively high reliability ratings from J.D. Power.
Below we will discuss the MINI Cooper, its best years, and its reliability through thick and thin.
Best Years of the MINI Cooper Hardtop
The classic MINI Cooper was released in the USA in 2002 and is one of the most recognizable cars on the road.
These eye-catching vehicles made their mark early on when they appeared in the movie The Italian Job in 2003.
Though MINI Coopers have always looked great, they are not perfect.
Like any newly released car, the MINI Cooper had some bugs to work out in its first couple of years in circulation.
As such, 1st generation MINI Coopers aren’t something you should be interested in if you’re looking for an extremely reliable car, and though the 2nd generation models are a step up from the 1st, there aren’t the most reliable Coopers that MINI has to offer.
The 3rd generation models of MINI Coopers, spanning from 2016 to the present, have the best J.D. Power Reliability ratings and the best overall reviews.
Plus, they have the added bonus of an updated exterior design.
2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop
The 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop is perhaps the best of the best.
When it comes to the J.D. Power reliability rating, this model year is the best.
With a score of 84/100, the 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop trumps all other reliability scores from JD Power in the past and up to the newest model year.
The 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop has 3 models: the Cooper (base model), the Cooper S, and the John Cooper Works edition.
The MSRP for the base model is $21,500.
However, as Kelley Blue Book puts it, it will be hard to find a MINI Cooper for that price.
With a luxury brand like BMW manufacturing MINI Coopers, a higher price is to be expected.
The interior and exterior quality will not disappoint unless it was not taken care of by previous owners.
In addition to looking amazing, the 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop has a variety of options for customization, and, like all cars that bear the MINI (or BMW) name, it is an absolute blast to drive.
The MINI Cooper is not known for being the roomiest of its competitors (but really, does the name suggest any different?), but it is known for its fantastic resale value, which is one of the reasons for its high J.D. Power rating.
The 2016 MINI Cooper is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, with top ratings all around (except for one marginal rating for the child seat anchor latch ease of use).
The NHTSA gave the 2016 MINI Cooper a 4/5 overall star rating in crash tests for crashes on the front and side of the car, as well as rollovers.
Another factor that plays into the reliability of a car is how well it is maintained.
As a German-manufactured car, the 2016 MINI Cooper must be maintained very well to keep it in tip-top shape.
That means regular oil changes, transmission flushes, and the replacement of parts at the recommended times.
Taking the MINI to a mechanic that specializes in MINIs or other German cars gives you the best chance of getting the best maintenance.
If you maintain your car to the best of your ability, the car won’t be problem-free forever, but it will have a better chance of remaining problem-free for longer.
All in all, the 2016 MINI Cooper is a reliable, fun-to-drive, and beautiful car that is worth the hype.
Recently Released MINI Cooper Hardtops
In the years after 2016, the MINI Cooper has remained an amazing car.
While the 2017 model year is said to have had some issues, the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years have all been given fantastic ratings by various companies.
Since these MINI Cooper years are built in a similar manner as the 2016 MINI Cooper, any MINIs made in recent years are fantastic choices in terms of reliability.
However, the exact reliability rate of the NINI Cooper fluctuates.
The 2022 MINI Cooper has 3 different trim levels: Classic, Signature, and Iconic.
The Classic’s starting MSRP is $22,900, which price goes up substantially if you pick premium paint colors, upgrade to a higher trim level, or add other features that are not generally included.
Along with the different trim levels, there are a few different models: the Cooper, the Cooper S, and the John Cooper Works edition.
As technology has changed quite a bit since 2016, these newer models are equipped with different technology and features that could be used to argue that these cars are perhaps more reliable than the 2016 MINI Cooper.
A MINI Cooper Hardtop With 4 Doors
Though the classic MINI Cooper has two doors, there is a version with 4 doors! The 4-door MINI Cooper is slightly more expensive than the 2-door because it is bigger.
The car can seat up to 5 people, but if there are more than 4 people in the car it becomes slightly cramped, especially if all of the passengers are adults.
MINI Coopers are made to be small, and the 4-door model is no exception.
The 2022 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4-Door has a starting MSRP of $23,900, with the price rising substantially with higher trim levels, different models, premium paint colors, and a myriad of other customization options designed to make your car the best it can be.
The MINI Cooper is a reliable car and will last for over 20 years if taken care of properly.
When maintenance is needed, take your car to a licensed dealership that is qualified to work on MINI Coopers.