MINI Hatch ownership costs and reliability

• Overall, it’s a frugal line-up
• Even sporty models are fairly efficient
• Discontinued diesels very economical

How much is it going to cost to run?

The MINI majors on low fuelling costs, which gives it a particularly low Miles Per Pound figure of 5.2 - 7.9 MPP. Of course, if you want to really reduce this cost, you can go for the MINI Electric.

MPG and CO2

The MINI's range of turbocharged petrol engines are really rather frugal. The One is capable of up to 52.3mpg on the WLTP test cycle, while the more powerful Cooper is barely any worse at 51.4mpg. Go for one of the more potent 2.0-litre Cooper S or John Cooper Works models, and you’ll still be able to see over 40mpg if you’re not too excitable in your driving style. The former returns a claimed maximum of 48.7mpg on average, while the JCW claims 42.8mpg, both with the optional automatic gearbox.

The greenest MINI Hatch used to be the 1.2-litre One D three-door (no longer available), which had claimed CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. Petrols are more polluting, but not by much, with the One emitting as little as 122g/km.

The Cooper is similar at 124g/km and up while the Cooper S emits from 133g/km with an automatic gearbox. Generally, there’s one or two g/km difference between three- and five-door models, but things like different alloy wheel sizes can have an impact on how much CO2 is emitted. If in doubt, consult the technical sections of any MINI price list to find more exact and current figures. Even the most polluting John Cooper Works emits a maximum of 161g/km, which isn’t too bad when you consider the performance that’s on offer.

Switching the optional driving mode selector to Green in automatic models allows the engine to be decouple from the transmission in some situations, which can save fuel and reduce emissions. It’ll also do this in Mid mode, too, while stop-start is standard on all models. 

Servicing and maintenance

The MINI is especially notable for its strong residual values, holding on to a good chunk of its original value thanks to high desirability. Servicing costs are taken into account by the TLC pack, which covers three years and 36,000 miles' worth of servicing for one initial cost. The package stays with the car, too, so if you buy a used example with this option ticked then you could save some extra money.

Is it reliable?

• Strong reliability record for the MINI
• Little to be concerned about
• BMW-derived parts solid and dependable

Since it was launched, the MINI hasn’t been recalled by the DVSA – so there aren’t any big problems to be concerned about. BMW-derived parts are solid and dependable, and the MINI uses tried-and-tested components from across the range. The quality of the materials used to finish the interior mean it should remain free from rattles and squeaks well into its life; unlike past generations, the sensation now is very much of being in a small BMW than a larger MINI.