MINI (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 54,730 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc18 years old54,730 tests96k 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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the MINI brand average of 84%.

74% of MOT tests on MINIs from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 54,730 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 95,610 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models325th of 566(bottom half)

Rank among MINI models291st of 335(bottom 14%)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average+1%(73% avg)

vs MINI average-10%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

95,610

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 MINI had 95,610 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2008 scores 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

MINI by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	97%	33	48,132 mi
2017	93%	42	48,635 mi
2016	93%	40	59,235 mi
2015	94%	33	70,246 mi
2014	88%	1,067	67,660 mi
2013	86%	38,366	76,296 mi
2012	85%	42,736	78,383 mi
2011	82%	49,881	83,358 mi
2010	80%	59,218	85,987 mi
2009	75%	57,825	89,580 mi
2008	74%	54,730	95,610 mi
2007	73%	53,763	93,859 mi
2006	72%	43,117	96,085 mi
2005	71%	45,707	100,056 mi
2004	71%	36,444	103,379 mi
2003	72%	25,713	107,167 mi
2002	78%	22,736	107,149 mi
2001	69%	3,789	108,838 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

-2%

Ford Focus

2009 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

74%

same

Vauxhall Corsa

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

same

Nissan Qashqai

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,428/year

67%

-7%

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About the 2008 MINI

The 2008 MINI is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 54,730 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 95,610 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MINI owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 MINI 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?

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 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MINI Reliability Trend

Newer MINIs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2008 MINI

At 18 years old, the MINI 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 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. With 54,730 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2008 MINI Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 9,129 MOT tests on the 2008 MINI that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics47%
Same age: 48%
Exhaust, emissions and leaks39%
Same age: 15% (fails on this more often)
Suspension24%
Same age: 41% (fails on this less often)
Brakes21%
Same age: 26%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · MINI reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 96k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 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(2008)	74%	£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

Is the 2008 MINI reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 2008 MINIs ended in a pass, from 54,730 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 MINI 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?

74% of 54,730 MOT tests on the 2008 MINI ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 325th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom half).

Which year MINI has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 MINI has the highest MOT pass rate at 88% and the 2001 the lowest at 69%. 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?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 MINI is 95,610 miles, which is in line with the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.