While Minis are fun to drive and aesthetically exciting and unique, they aren’t the most reliable vehicles. Minis cost more to maintain than the average car on the road, costing an average of $854 per year for upkeep.

When you wheel your Mini off the lot, you should know that there will be significant upkeep costs for you down the road. Keeping your Mini on a regimented maintenance schedule is vital to keeping it in top form. Also, do know that the maintenance schedules from one Mini to another will vary.

To make sure you have all the information you need to keep your Mini running smoothly, the

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Jerry

has everything you need to know about keeping your Mini properly maintained.

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How much maintenance does my Mini need?

One of the most head-turning cars on the road, Minis offer pep and stylish accessibility. But along with those qualities come significant maintenance costs, on average higher than most cars on the road.

A Mini owner will have to bring their vehicle in for unscheduled maintenance 0.6 times per year, a fair bit higher than the average car at 0.4 times per year. About 13% of those unscheduled visits are deemed severe, a tick higher than the average vehicle at 12%.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

How much does maintenance on a Mini cost?

On an annual basis, a Mini costs an average of $854 to maintain.

That being said, the maintenance costs will almost certainly differ from one Mini to another, and from one model to another. These are the average costs of the most popular Mini models on the road today.

Budget: Countryman

Reliability: 3/5 ( average)

Annual maintenance cost: $917

Repair frequency: 0.6/year

Mid-range: Cooper

Reliability: 3/5 (above average)

Annual maintenance cost: $925

Repair frequency: 0.6/year

Splurge: Cooper Clubman

Reliability: 3.5/5 (average)

Annual maintenance cost: $1142

Repair frequency: 0.6/year

Why maintain your Mini

There are a number of reasons why you should maintain your Mini, but here are the best ones:

Maintain your Mini’s driving performance

Remain safe while driving

Keep your Mini’s resale value as high as possible

Prevent serious maintenance problems from appearing down the road

If you don’t bother taking your Mini in for routine maintenance, you run the risk of dealing with severe and expensive mechanical, electrical, and performance issues in the future.

Key Takeaway Pricier Mini models tend to have steeper maintenance costs than lower-trim Minis.

How often does a Mini require maintenance?

Mileage	Service	Average cost
Every 25,000 miles	Minor maintenance: oil and filter change, tire rotation, safety inspection	$117 to $128
Every 40,000 miles	Tire rotation, safety check, oil change; visual inspection of hoses, brakes, and belts; fluid leak inspection; potential replacement of suspension bushings, motor mounts, and hoses & drive belts	$138 to $174
Every 50,000 miles	Oil change, inspection for any fluid leaks	$117 to $128
Every 60,000 miles	Replace automatic transmission fluid, differential fluid, engine coolant; potential timing belt replacement, spark plug replacement	$383 to $419
Every 75,000 miles	Oil change, tire rotation, safety check; service any recalls	$117 to $128

Oil changes

When: Should be performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles

Cost: $150 to $190

Why: Oil changes ensure there is no excess dirt on engine walls while promoting better engine function

DIY?: Yes—if you have the right equipment and know-how

Tire replacement

When: NHTSA suggests drivers should replace their tires every six years, no matter how much wear or miles driven

Cost: $300 to $600

Why: Tires that are worn out don’t handle well, especially in poor or wet weather

DIY?: No—let professionals replace your tires to ensure a smooth drive and even wear

Engine replacement

When: If your engine is damaged from a collision, your Mini’s engine has cracked, or the engine has died

Cost: $3,000 to $6,000

Why: To run smoothly, your Mini needs a fully functioning engine

DIY?: No—take your car to a certified professional for an engine replacement

Windshield replacement

When: If your windshield suffers a serious crack that goes halfway into the glass, if the crack is longer than a dollar bill’s length, or if a crack reaches the windshield’s edges

Cost: $250 to $500

Why: Driving with a cracked windshield is dangerous and impairs your sightlines

DIY?: No—installing a windshield is a delicate task that should be left to professionals

Paint

When: If your car has peeling paint or is visibly discolored

Cost: $300 to $5,000

Why: Paint is a key component to maintaining your car’s structural integrity intact, prevents rust build-up and corrosion, and helps boost any potential resale value

DIY?: Maybe—but a professional-looking paint job requires specific equipment, specialized training, and time

MORE:

How to know if a mechanic is taking too long with car repairs

Transmission

When: At some point between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, your transmission may begin to fail (manual transmissions may fail earlier)

Cost: $900 to $1500

Why: Your car’s transmission distributes power to each wheel depending on the car’s speed

DIY?: No—replacing a transmission can be a difficult task, so take your Mini to a professional for transmission replacement

Clutch

When: The clutch is soft (there should be resistance when you press the clutch to switch gears), you smell burning, there are unusual noises, or the car won’t switch gears

Cost: $1688 to $2009

Why: In manual cars, if your clutch can’t be properly engaged to switch gears, it can fail and leave you with no controls over a manual Mini’s gears

DIY?: No—this is best repaired by a certified mechanic

Finding cheap car insurance

Making sure your Mini is in tip-top shape will require vigilance and regular maintenance on your part. But to fully protect your car from any kind of damage or trouble, it is always wise to buy a robust

car insurance

policy.

With

Jerry

, finding a great policy at the lowest possible price to protect your car in any eventuality has never been easier. Sign up takes just 45 seconds, and then this intuitive app uses your current car insurance data to deliver 50+ competitive quotes from the country’s top insurers right to your smartphone screen!

Once you select a new policy, Jerry takes care of all the boring admin stuff, from canceling your old plan to signing you up for your new one. Jerry will even automatically search for better rates before each renewal period on your behalf. It’s car insurance built for the 21st century!