CarCostCheck

MINI COOPER S (2002)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 94 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

77%

Total Tests (2024)

94

Avg Mileage

100,344 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,827

Is the 2002 MINI COOPER S reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MINI brand average of 84%.

At 22 years old, 77% of MINI COOPER Ss from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 94 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,344 miles.

How does the 2002 MINI COOPER S compare?

Rank among all 2002 cars134th out of 403(top 33%)
Rank among all MINI models282th out of 341(top 83%)
vs national average-5% (82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average+4% (73% avg)
vs MINI average-7% (84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2002 MINI COOPER S has 100,344 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a MINI COOPER S?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2002 sits between the two at 77%.

How much does a 2002 MINI COOPER S cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)
£1,137
🏛️Road Tax
£135
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,827
Per month£152/mo

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

MINI COOPER S by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202297%1,30417,134 mi
202193%22,00021,733 mi
202093%21,81426,028 mi
201992%33,68231,800 mi
201892%19,93337,784 mi
201791%19,24045,465 mi
201690%18,70252,888 mi
201589%16,36361,373 mi
201488%11,31563,437 mi
201386%4,95068,666 mi
201285%2,45069,335 mi
201186%76074,478 mi
201079%59776,322 mi
200978%64175,827 mi
200879%62488,922 mi
200781%62387,543 mi
200671%44689,871 mi
200575%46492,109 mi
200476%35797,833 mi
200375%314103,971 mi
200277%94100,344 mi

Checking a specific MINI COOPER S?

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About the 2002 MINI COOPER S

The 2002 MINI COOPER S is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 94 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 100,344 miles at 22 years old, MINI COOPER S owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 MINI COOPER S 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 S?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,827 (£152/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £135 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MINI COOPER S Reliability Trend

Newer MINI COOPER Ss show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 MINI COOPER S

At 22 years old, the MINI COOPER S 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 97%. Note: with only 94 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 2002 MINI COOPER S

The MINI COOPER S is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol small family cars from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: