MINI COOPER S (2020)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 21,814 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
93%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1499cc Hybrid
Great Choice
93% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 11 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
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.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MINI brand average of 84%.
At 6 years old, 93% of MINI COOPER Ss from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 21,814 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 26,028 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
26,028
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2020 MINI COOPER S has 26,028 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2020 sits between the two at 93%.
MINI COOPER S by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 97% | 1,304 | 17,134 mi | |
| 2021 | 93% | 22,000 | 21,733 mi | |
| 2020 | 93% | 21,814 | 26,028 mi | |
| 2019 | 92% | 33,682 | 31,800 mi | |
| 2018 | 92% | 19,933 | 37,784 mi | |
| 2017 | 91% | 19,240 | 45,465 mi | |
| 2016 | 90% | 18,702 | 52,888 mi | |
| 2015 | 89% | 16,363 | 61,373 mi | |
| 2014 | 88% | 11,315 | 63,437 mi | |
| 2013 | 86% | 4,950 | 68,666 mi | |
| 2012 | 85% | 2,450 | 69,335 mi | |
| 2011 | 86% | 760 | 74,478 mi | |
| 2010 | 79% | 597 | 76,322 mi | |
| 2009 | 78% | 641 | 75,827 mi | |
| 2008 | 79% | 624 | 88,922 mi | |
| 2007 | 81% | 623 | 87,543 mi | |
| 2006 | 71% | 446 | 89,871 mi | |
| 2005 | 75% | 464 | 92,109 mi | |
| 2004 | 76% | 357 | 97,833 mi | |
| 2003 | 75% | 314 | 103,971 mi | |
| 2002 | 77% | 94 | 100,344 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2020 MINI COOPER S
The 2020 MINI COOPER S is a small family car with a 1499cc hybrid engine. 21,814 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 26,028 miles at 6 years old, MINI COOPER S owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2020 MINI COOPER S Fuel Costs
The 1499cc hybrid 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 hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.
What does it cost to own a 2020 MINI COOPER S?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
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 2020 MINI COOPER S
At 6 years old, the MINI COOPER S offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. With 21,814 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2020 MINI COOPER S's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Hybrid Battery Health
Medium riskAfter 6 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.
Inverter and Power Electronics
Low riskThe inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.
Regenerative Braking
Medium riskBrake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.
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 2020 MINI COOPER S stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINI COOPER S(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1587 |
| MERCEDES C(2018) | 90% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772+£185 |
| TOYOTA YARIS(2018) | 91% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1582-£5 |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019) | 94% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772+£185 |
| TOYOTA C-HR(2018) | 90% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772+£185 |
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.
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MINI COOPER
2018 · 1499cc Petrol
MINI COUNTRYMAN
2019 · 1499cc Hybrid
MERCEDES C
2018 · 1991cc Hybrid
TOYOTA YARIS
2018 · 1349cc Hybrid
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT
2019 · 1997cc Hybrid
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