MINI Cooper Auto (2006)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 33 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,078

£173/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2,078/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1598cc20 years old33 tests66k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,078

Per month£173/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the MINI brand average of 84%.

88% of MOT tests on MINI Cooper Autos from 2006 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 18 years old. That's based on 33 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 66,381 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 models60th of 554(top 11%)

Rank among MINI models141st of 335(top half)

vs average of all models+6%(82% avg)

vs 2006 models average+15%(73% avg)

vs MINI average+4%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,381

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2006 MINI Cooper Auto had 66,381 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2006 scores 88%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

MINI Cooper Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	88%	60	54,363 mi
2013	87%	1,371	50,102 mi
2012	88%	691	56,081 mi
2011	86%	128	60,128 mi
2010	81%	77	63,094 mi
2009	85%	61	66,550 mi
2008	70%	56	77,219 mi
2007	78%	132	76,447 mi
2006	88%	33	66,381 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

-16%

Ford Focus

2008 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

-15%

Vauxhall Corsa

2008 · 1229cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

-15%

BMW 3 Series

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

-8%

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About the 2006 MINI Cooper Auto

The 2006 MINI Cooper Auto is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 33 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 2006 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 66,381 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MINI Cooper Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2006 MINI Cooper Auto 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2006 MINI Cooper Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,078 (£173/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MINI Cooper Auto Reliability Trend

Newer MINI Cooper Autos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2006 MINI Cooper Auto

At 20 years old, the MINI Cooper Auto 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 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

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 2006 MINI Cooper Auto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
MINI Cooper Auto(2006)	88%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£75
Ford Focus(2008)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2008)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£75
BMW 3 Series(2007)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£283

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2006 MINI Cooper Auto

Is the 2006 MINI Cooper Auto reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of MOT tests on 2006 MINI Cooper Autos ended in a pass, from 33 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2006 MINI Cooper Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,078 a year (£173 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 MINI Cooper Auto?

88% of 33 MOT tests on the 2006 MINI Cooper Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 60th of 554 models first registered in 2006 (top 11%).

Which year MINI Cooper Auto has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 MINI Cooper Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 88% and the 2007 the lowest at 78%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2006 MINI Cooper Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2006 MINI Cooper Auto is 66,381 miles, which is significantly below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.