Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 133 vehicles, the 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 46.2%, indicating below-average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mini Cooper S Auto (2008)

133 real MOT outcomes analysed • 46.2% first-time pass rate

2008 Mini Cooper S Auto

CarHunch analysed 133 real MOT records for the 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.

On this page

Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 133 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 2008 MINI COOPER (1,228 vehicles)

We have limited data for the 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these cars have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

46.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

15.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

Over 5.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

30k

Middle half: 18k–46k

For context

These stats describe 133 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 133 Mini Cooper S Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto

Based on MOT data from 133 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch →

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

29,661

typical

17,957

low mileage

46,211

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto vehicles fall between 17,957 and 46,211 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 17,957 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 17,957–46,211 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mini Cooper S Autos sit.

⚠ Over 62,384 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mini Cooper S Auto — Still on the Road

Most 2008 Mini Cooper S Autos are still being driven.

24 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 77% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

5.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

5.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mini Cooper S Auto: All Cooper S Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Or browse all models: Mini →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mini Cooper S Auto stacks up against a rival.

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