How much does a 2012 MINI MINI (R59) cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,475 (£123/month), including £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 MINI MINI (R59)?

The 2012 MINI MINI (R59) has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 424 tests in 2026. This ranks 312 out of 685 cars from 2012.

Which year MINI MINI (R59) is most reliable?

The 2012 MINI MINI (R59) has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%. The least reliable year is 2011 at 70%.

MINI MINI (R59) (2012)

Q: Is the 2012 MINI MINI (R59) reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MINI MINI (R59)s from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 424 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2012 MINI MINI (R59)?

The average mileage for a 2012 MINI MINI (R59) is 69,544 miles, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-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 424 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,475

£123/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1475/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1598cc14 years old424 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,475

Per month£123/mo

Per week£28/wk

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

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 14 years old, 83% of MINI MINI (R59)s from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 424 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 69,544 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars312th of 685(top 46%)

Rank among MINI models218th of 341(top 64%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 2012 cars average+5%(78% avg)

vs MINI average-1%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,544

Average miles

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 MINI MINI (R59) has 69,544 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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MINI MINI (R59) by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	83%	424	69,544 mi
2011	70%	64	82,076 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2013 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,490/year

77%

-6%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

87%

+4%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2013 · 1700cc Diesel

£1,727/year

79%

-4%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2014 · 1199cc Diesel

£1,340/year

80%

-3%

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About the 2012 MINI MINI (R59)

The 2012 MINI MINI (R59) is a small family car with a 1598cc diesel engine. 424 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 69,544 miles at 14 years old, MINI MINI (R59) owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 MINI MINI (R59) Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2012 MINI MINI (R59)?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,475 (£123/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2012 MINI MINI (R59)

At 14 years old, the MINI MINI (R59) 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 MINI MINI (R59)'s fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 2012 MINI MINI (R59) stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MINI MINI (R59)(2012)	83%	£905	£165	Grp 12-25	£1475
FORD FIESTA(2013)	77%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490+£15
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2014)	87%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£30
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)	79%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£252
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2014)	80%	£905	£30	Grp 5-15	£1340-£135

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.