MINI Cooper Auto (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 56 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc18 years old56 tests77k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the MINI brand average of 84%.

70% of MOT tests on MINI Cooper Autos from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 56 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 77,219 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models444th of 566(bottom 22%)

Rank among MINI models315th of 335(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average-3%(73% avg)

vs MINI average-14%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

77,219

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 MINI Cooper Auto had 77,219 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-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?

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 2008 scores 70%. 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%

+2%

Ford Focus

2009 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

74%

+4%

Vauxhall Corsa

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

+4%

Nissan Qashqai

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,428/year

67%

-3%

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About the 2008 MINI Cooper Auto

The 2008 MINI Cooper Auto is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 56 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 22% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 77,219 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MINI Cooper Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 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 2008 MINI Cooper Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% 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 2008 MINI Cooper Auto

At 18 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 56 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 2008 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(2008)	70%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Ford Focus(2009)	74%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Nissan Qashqai(2010)	67%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£200

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 2008 MINI Cooper Auto

Is the 2008 MINI Cooper Auto reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2008 MINI Cooper Autos ended in a pass, from 56 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 MINI Cooper Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 MINI Cooper Auto?

70% of 56 MOT tests on the 2008 MINI Cooper Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 444th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 22%).

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 2008 MINI Cooper Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 MINI Cooper Auto is 77,219 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.