Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 MINI Cooper, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 48 | 32% |
| Engine | 34 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 11% |
| Air bags | 6 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH at night, the exterior lights started flickering and started to become inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of th
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The seatbelt and air bag warning light for the passenger front seat stays on.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light illuminated even though there was no passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The contact s
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
When it rains, my car seems to have a short circuit and all the electrical components start going crazy, mainly the windows, locks and indoor lights/dash. There is an active recall for the same problem and car model but
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My car has had an exterior lighting problem related to a bad FRM. This is causing my lights not to work. After seeking help, I saw that there was an actual recall on the FRM and I decided to take my car to International
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the headlights, taillights, and the turn signal lights were inoperable. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); bu
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owned a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that after the vehicle was unoccupied and parked in the residential garage, she was putting her children down for a nap and 2 minutes later, the contact and her hu
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 MINI Cooper. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
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
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 52 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 48 of them (32%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.