MINI Cooper S (2006)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 48 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc20 years old48 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the MINI brand average of 84%.

75% of MOT tests on MINI Cooper Ss from 2006 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 18 years old. That's based on 48 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 73,510 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 models263rd of 554(top half)

Rank among MINI models289th of 335(bottom 15%)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 2006 models average+2%(73% avg)

vs MINI average-9%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,510

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2006 MINI Cooper S had 73,510 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

-3%

Ford Focus

2008 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

-2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2008 · 1229cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

-2%

BMW 3 Series

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+5%

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About the 2006 MINI Cooper S

The 2006 MINI Cooper S is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 48 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 73,510 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MINI Cooper S owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 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 £1,398 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 2006 MINI Cooper S?

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 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2006 MINI Cooper S

At 20 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. Note: with only 48 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 2006 MINI Cooper S 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 S(2006)	75%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Ford Focus(2008)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Vauxhall Corsa(2008)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
BMW 3 Series(2007)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£133

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 2006 MINI Cooper S

Is the 2006 MINI Cooper S reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 2006 MINI Cooper Ss ended in a pass, from 48 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2006 MINI Cooper S 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 2006 MINI Cooper S?

75% of 48 MOT tests on the 2006 MINI Cooper S ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 263rd of 554 models first registered in 2006 (top half).

What is the average mileage for a 2006 MINI Cooper S?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2006 MINI Cooper S is 73,510 miles, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.