CarCostCheck

MINI John Cooper Works (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 84 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,078

£173/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2,078/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1598cc18 years old84 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,078
Per month£173/mo
Per week£40/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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

81% of MOT tests on MINI John Cooper Workss from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 84 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,596 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models186th of 566(top half)
Rank among MINI models239th of 335(bottom half)
vs average of all models-1%(82% avg)
vs 2008 models average+8%(73% avg)
vs MINI average-3%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,596

Average miles

vs

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 MINI John Cooper Works had 79,596 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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MINI John Cooper Works by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200988%4380,897 mi
200881%8479,596 mi

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About the 2008 MINI John Cooper Works

The 2008 MINI John Cooper Works is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 84 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model 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 79,596 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MINI John Cooper Works owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 MINI John Cooper Works 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 John Cooper Works?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,078 (£173/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2008 MINI John Cooper Works

At 18 years old, the MINI John Cooper Works 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 84 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 2008 MINI John Cooper Works stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
MINI John Cooper Works(2008)81%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,078
Ford Fiesta(2008)72%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£75
Ford Focus(2009)74%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228+£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)74%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2010)67%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,428+£350

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 John Cooper Works

Is the 2008 MINI John Cooper Works reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of MOT tests on 2008 MINI John Cooper Workss ended in a pass, from 84 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 MINI John Cooper Works cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,078 a year (£173 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 MINI John Cooper Works?

81% of 84 MOT tests on the 2008 MINI John Cooper Works ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 186th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (top half).

What is the average mileage for a 2008 MINI John Cooper Works?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 MINI John Cooper Works is 79,596 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Related MINI Models

Explore other MINI cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the MINI John Cooper Works.

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