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MINI COOPER (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 304 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc24 years old304 tests98k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,157
Per month£180/mo
Per week£41/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MINI brand average of 84%.

At 24 years old, 65% of MINI COOPERs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 304 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 98,236 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars363th of 403(top 90%)
Rank among MINI models335th of 341(top 98%)
vs national average-17%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-8%(73% avg)
vs MINI average-19%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

98,236

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 MINI COOPER has 98,236 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 65%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

MINI COOPER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202296%2,09816,905 mi
202194%32,53220,555 mi
202093%34,51324,798 mi
201992%52,14030,727 mi
201892%55,70637,401 mi
201790%49,26045,506 mi
201690%47,46352,742 mi
201589%46,05460,514 mi
201488%34,37566,746 mi
201385%12,50166,222 mi
201285%6,52572,835 mi
201182%2,18584,424 mi
201082%1,76685,375 mi
200974%1,66887,261 mi
200874%1,49592,691 mi
200771%1,81293,206 mi
200673%91491,442 mi
200569%79096,816 mi
200469%708102,681 mi
200373%40399,443 mi
200265%30498,236 mi
200169%81102,071 mi
199984%11417,301 mi

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About the 2002 MINI COOPER

The 2002 MINI COOPER is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 304 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 90% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 98,236 miles at 24 years old, MINI COOPER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 MINI COOPER Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 MINI COOPER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MINI COOPER Reliability Trend

Newer MINI COOPERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 17 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 MINI COOPER

At 24 years old, the MINI COOPER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 MINI COOPER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 98k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 MINI COOPER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MINI COOPER(2002)65%£1137£265Grp 12-25£2157
MINI MINI(2004)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
FORD FOCUS(2004)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£130
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£435
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2004)67%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£235

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mini Models

Explore other Mini cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mini Cooper.

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