Photo: Wikisympathisant, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Premium small car with a BMW-sourced three-cylinder (1.5) or four-cylinder (2.0) engine, offered as a 3-door (F56, 4 seats, 211 L boot) and a 5-door (F55, 5 seats, 278 L boot). The guides consider it generally more reliable than the previous generation, but early cars (2014-2015) were the subject of a service action on the crankshaft, and the electric Cooper SE was recalled for a high-voltage battery sealing problem. It only earned 4 Euro NCAP stars in 2014. Have any open actions checked using the VIN.
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €9,500 – €26,000
- Monthly cost
- €411
- Euro NCAP
- 4/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: Cooper 136, Cooper SE 184.
Cooper 136
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 136 hp · 5.4 L/100 km · 122 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.5 turbo three-cylinder with 136 hp, 211 L boot in the 3-door; a 7-speed automatic gearbox is also available (Cooper 136 BVA7 in the L'argus catalogue). Combined consumption quoted at 5.4 L/100 km on L'argus's 2019 data sheet.
Cooper D 116
Diesel · Manual · 116 hp · 3.5 L/100 km · 92 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
1.5 diesel with 116 hp; L'argus quotes 3.5 L/100 km and 92 g/km of CO2 with the manual gearbox (an automatic version also exists).
Cooper S 192
Petrol · Manual · 192 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 turbo four-cylinder with 192 hp, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 s with the manual gearbox according to L'argus (5-door F55 data sheet, 2015). Available with the BVA automatic gearbox.
Cooper SE 184
✓ RecommendedElectric · Automatic · 184 hp · 0 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air green
Electric with 184 hp and 270 Nm, 32.6 kWh battery (28.9 kWh usable), 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 s, speed limited to 150 km/h according to Auto-Data. WLTP range of 225 to 234 km depending on the source, rapid charging limited to 50 kW according to L'argus.
Market prices
€9,500 – €26,000
Indicative range: 2014 to 2023, any mileage, listings from private and dealer sellers (One, Cooper, Cooper S; excluding JCW).
Collected on 12 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Crankshaft guide bearing (early cars, 2014-2015)
Severity 3/3 · SeriousBMW issued service actions (not a formal recall) on premature wear of the upper crankshaft guide bearing: for the B38 three-cylinder, F55/F56 cars built from December 2014 to June 2015; for the B46/B48 four-cylinders, F55/F56 cars built from June 2014 to May 2015, with narrower production windows in later revisions of the bulletin. The symptoms cited are an engine warning light, a crankshaft sensor fault and noises from the bell housing area; the engine can be damaged. Check with a Mini dealer using the VIN.
- Versions
- Cooper 136, Cooper S 192
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Water in the wiring harness under the windscreen scuttle
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingOn F56 cars from before about 2018, water can run behind the windscreen scuttle (or from the washer hose) and soak the wiring harness, causing apparently unrelated electrical faults (CAN bus errors, a pedestrian protection system fault or headlight levelling fault). Owners describe an expensive repair that is sometimes not covered by the warranty; these reports come from forums. Check that the scuttle drains are not blocked.
- Versions
- Cooper 136, Cooper D 116, Cooper S 192
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Coolant leak at the oil filter housing (B38/B48)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe plastic oil filter housing can warp or crack and leak. MINI issued technical bulletins on a coolant leak at this point on early F56 cars (built from November 2013 to March 2014), which can cause overheating, loss of power and an engine warning light; the part needs replacing. The Go-Parts guide cites the same weak point on B48 engines.
- Versions
- Cooper 136, Cooper S 192
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Recall: unsealed high-voltage battery casing (Cooper SE)
Manufacturer recallA recall affects the Cooper SE: the high-voltage battery casing may not be watertight. Water can trigger an insulation warning, a cut-out of the drivetrain even while driving, or even a short circuit that could cause a fire. The first phase in France covered 213 vehicles built from June 2020 to November 2023; L'argus states that the campaign was later extended. Mini inspects the battery and replaces it if necessary.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- Cooper SE 184
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Rappel : la Mini prend l'eau — Caradisiac (new tab)
- Gros rappel pour la Mini électrique à cause d'un risque d'incendie — Automobile Propre (new tab)
- Mini : le modèle électrique phare rappelé, la batterie n'est pas étanche ! — L'Automobiliste (new tab)
- Rappel Mini électriques. Batterie à contrôler ou à remplacer sur les Cooper SE (F56, F57) — L'Argus (new tab)
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Mini Hatch”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €133 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €68 |
| Maintenance | €35 |
| Depreciation | €175 |
| Total per month | €411 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€133
Cooper 136 version: combined consumption of 5.4 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.4 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €133
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€68
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€35
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€175
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Mini Hatch III (F55/F56, 2014-2024) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have a Mini dealer check, using the VIN, whether the crankshaft service action (2014-2015 models) and the battery recall (Cooper SE) have been carried out.
- Petrol: look for signs of a leak around the oil filter housing and check that the coolant level is not dropping.
- Before 2018: check for damp in the front footwells, unexplained electrical errors and that the scuttle drains flow freely.
- On a cold start, listen for a clunk or vibrations that could point to worn engine mounts.
- Test the gearbox (manual or automatic) hot and cold to detect jerks.
- Cooper SE: ask for the real-world range observed and the condition of the battery; test rapid charging.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the crankshaft service action and the high-voltage battery recall (Cooper SE) been carried out? Do you have the paperwork?
- Have any leaks (coolant, oil) or water-related electrical faults been dealt with?
- Can you provide the service book and servicing invoices, including oil changes?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0
Fiat 500
II · 2007–2024
- Price
- €5,000 – €16,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Polo
VI · since 2017
- Price
- €10,000 – €20,300
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 208
I · 2012–2019
- Price
- €3,500 – €8,200
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Hyundai i20
III · since 2020
- Price
- €13,440 – €21,094
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opel Adam
I · 2013–2019
- Price
- €6,000 – €8,900
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Mini Hatch III (F55/F56, 2014-2024) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mini F56 reliable?
The guides consider it more reliable than the previous generation, thanks to the BMW engines, but with points to watch: the crankshaft bearing on 2014-2015 cars, water in the harness before 2018 and leaks around the oil filter housing.
What Euro NCAP rating did the Mini F56 get?
4 stars in 2014, with 79% for adult protection, 73% for children, 66% for pedestrians and 56% for safety assist, according to BimmerToday. The 2025 Mini Cooper, a different generation, earned 5 stars.
What is the boot size of the Mini F56?
211 litres in the 3-door (F56) and 278 litres in the 5-door (F55), according to L'argus data sheets.
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