MINI COOPER (2016)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 47,463 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,657
£138/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£265
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1499cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £1657/year to run. 8 points above average.
Check a specific MINI COOPER
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Based on 1499cc
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this MINI COOPER
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MINI brand average of 84%.
At 10 years old, 90% of MINI COOPERs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 47,463 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 52,742 miles.
Got a MINI COOPER you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
52,742
Average miles
74,000
Expected for age
The average 2016 MINI COOPER has 52,742 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific MINI COOPER?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
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%. The 2016 sits between the two at 90%.
MINI COOPER by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 96% | 2,098 | 16,905 mi | |
| 2021 | 94% | 32,532 | 20,555 mi | |
| 2020 | 93% | 34,513 | 24,798 mi | |
| 2019 | 92% | 52,140 | 30,727 mi | |
| 2018 | 92% | 55,706 | 37,401 mi | |
| 2017 | 90% | 49,260 | 45,506 mi | |
| 2016 | 90% | 47,463 | 52,742 mi | |
| 2015 | 89% | 46,054 | 60,514 mi | |
| 2014 | 88% | 34,375 | 66,746 mi | |
| 2013 | 85% | 12,501 | 66,222 mi | |
| 2012 | 85% | 6,525 | 72,835 mi | |
| 2011 | 82% | 2,185 | 84,424 mi | |
| 2010 | 82% | 1,766 | 85,375 mi | |
| 2009 | 74% | 1,668 | 87,261 mi | |
| 2008 | 74% | 1,495 | 92,691 mi | |
| 2007 | 71% | 1,812 | 93,206 mi | |
| 2006 | 73% | 914 | 91,442 mi | |
| 2005 | 69% | 790 | 96,816 mi | |
| 2004 | 69% | 708 | 102,681 mi | |
| 2003 | 73% | 403 | 99,443 mi | |
| 2002 | 65% | 304 | 98,236 mi | |
| 2001 | 69% | 81 | 102,071 mi | |
| 1999 | 84% | 114 | 17,301 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Mini Cooper
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2016 MINI COOPER
The 2016 MINI COOPER is a small family car with a 1499cc petrol engine. 47,463 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 52,742 miles at 10 years old, MINI COOPER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2016 MINI COOPER Fuel Costs
The 1499cc 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 2016 MINI COOPER?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
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 2016 MINI COOPER
At 10 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 47,463 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2016 MINI COOPER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2016 MINI COOPER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINI COOPER(2016) | 90% | £1137 | £265 | Grp 12-25 | £1657 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2015) | 78% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£65 |
| FORD FOCUS(2014) | 80% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1677+£20 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2017) | 86% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550-£107 |
| VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2015) | 82% | £955 | £30 | Grp 5-15 | £1390-£267 |
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.
MINI MINI
2010 · 1598cc Petrol
MINI COOPER S
2019 · 1499cc Hybrid
MINI COUNTRYMAN
2019 · 1499cc Hybrid
VAUXHALL CORSA
2015 · 1398cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2014 · 1596cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2017 · 1200cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Mini Cooper.
Best First Cars in the UK: Top Picks for New Drivers 2026
12 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Reliability20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific MINI COOPER
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a MINI COOPER? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data