Is the 2021 MINI COOPER S reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MINI COOPER Ss from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 22,000 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 MINI COOPER S cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 MINI COOPER S?

The 2021 MINI COOPER S has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 22,000 tests in 2026. This ranks 1424 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year MINI COOPER S is most reliable?

The 2022 MINI COOPER S has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 71%.

MINI COOPER S (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 MINI COOPER S?

The average mileage for a 2021 MINI COOPER S is 21,733 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 22,000 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.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MINI COOPER S

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Hybrid1499cc5 years old22,000 tests22k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1499cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Per week£31/wk

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 S

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

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 5 years old, 93% of MINI COOPER Ss from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 22,000 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 21,733 miles.

Got a MINI COOPER S you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1424th of 3,373(top 42%)

Rank among MINI models34th of 341(top 10%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+1%(92% avg)

vs MINI average+9%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

21,733

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 MINI COOPER S has 21,733 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific MINI COOPER S?

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 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2021 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

TOYOTA YARIS

2019 · 1497cc Hybrid

£1,582/year

93%

same

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

94%

+1%

TOYOTA C-HR

2019 · 1987cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

92%

-1%

VOLVO XC40

2021 · 1470cc Hybrid

£1,582/year

93%

same

Check a Specific Mini Cooper s

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 2021 MINI COOPER S

The 2021 MINI COOPER S is a small family car with a 1499cc hybrid engine. 22,000 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 21,733 miles at 5 years old, MINI COOPER S owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 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 2021 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 2021 MINI COOPER S

At 5 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 22,000 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 MINI COOPER S's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Medium risk

After 5 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 risk

The 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 risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

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 2021 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(2021)	93%	£1137	£195	Grp 12-25	£1587
TOYOTA YARIS(2019)	93%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£5
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019)	94%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772+£185
TOYOTA C-HR(2019)	92%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772+£185
VOLVO XC40(2021)	93%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£5

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.