Is the 2013 Mini COOPER reliable?

The 2013 Mini COOPER has 72 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Mini COOPER?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (19 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (16 complaints, avg repair $500); SEATS/RESTRAINTS (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Mini COOPER?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Contact any Mini dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Mini COOPER?

The 2013 Mini COOPER gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Mini COOPER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Mini COOPER is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Mini COOPER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mini COOPER has 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 43. The most common issue is electrical problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: the window on the driver's side stopped working. it is an automatic window with a one-touch feature. at first, the one-touch feature stopped working. then nothing worked to get the window to go up or down. upon pressing the button that controls this window, the window did nothing and a faint cli. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

19 complaints

26%

• THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC WINDOW WITH A ONE-TOUCH FEATURE. AT FIRST, THE ONE-TOUCH FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THEN NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN. UPON PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT CONTROLS THIS WINDOW, THE WINDOW DID NOTHING AND A FAINT CLI
• FROM INITIAL DELIVERY THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATES A SPEED THAT IS 8% OVER ACTUAL. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH MINI TO GET THIS CORRECTED. THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE 2010 MODEL. IN ORDER TO ACCURATELY MONITOR MY SPEED, I USE AN AP
• THE CUP HOLDER LEAKS IF THERE IS ANY FLUID SPILLED IN IT AND SHORTS OUT AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB. EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF LIQUID CAN CAUSE THIS.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC WINDOW WITH A ONE-TOUCH FEATURE. AT FIRST, THE ONE-TOUCH FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THEN NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN. UPON PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT CONTROLS THIS WINDOW, THE WINDOW DID NOTHING AND A FAINT CLI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Mini COOPER

Based on 24 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 37K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11/05/2023

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.

Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Mini COOPER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mini COOPER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Mini New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Mini. If you're buying a used 2013 COOPER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mini dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 72 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC WINDOW WITH A ONE-TOUCH FEATURE. AT FIRST, THE ONE-TOUCH FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THEN NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN. UPON PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT CONTROLS THIS WINDOW, THE WINDOW DID NOTHING AND A FAINT CLI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 10/15/2015 WHICH I REAR ENDED A PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS GOING ROUGHLY 45-50 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT SLAMMED THEIR BRAKES WHICH CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO HIS REAR END OF THE TRUCK. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS IN BAD SHAPE AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. HOWEVER, THE AIRBA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: When passenger is seated with safety belt on the seat belt light comes on along with a message that the passenger seat air bag will not deploy.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I DROVE AN AUTOMATIC 2013 CERTIFIED MINI COOPER OFF THE LOT WITH 33K PRIOR MILES. AFTER LESS THAN A WEEK, AND AFTER ONLY DRIVING A TOTAL OF 254 MILES, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I DID NOT LOOSE ALL POWER, THE GAS PEDAL JUST QUIT RESPONDING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALL OTHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Mini dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)