Mini Mini Cooper (2002)
2002 Mini Mini Cooper
CarHunch analysed 848 real MOT records for the 2002 Mini Mini Cooper.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →
The 2002 MINI Cooper has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 42.1%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and this reliability concern is sharply split by fuel type—petrol versions pass at only 31.7% while the "Other" category (likely supercharged variants) achieves 69.4%. Dangerous defects are relatively rare at 3.4%, so safety isn't the primary worry here.
These cars are running at a median of 47,000 miles but averaging nearly 70,000, suggesting some examples are heavily used; the average of 0.93 failures and 1.8 advisories per test indicates recurring mechanical issues rather than one-off problems. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system and electrics, which are notorious weak points on this generation, and factor in regular maintenance costs if you're considering a petrol model.
The 2002 Mini Mini Cooper passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (75.7%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.
These stats describe 848 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 848 Mini Mini Cooper cars.
Before you buy a 2002 Mini Mini Cooper
Based on MOT data from 848 vehicles — here's what to check.
-
📋
Check the full MOT history.
3.4% 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
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (72%) | 614 | 78.2% | 0.68 |
| Other (27%) | 232 | 69.4% | 1.53 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 3,734 Mini Mini Cooper vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Mini Mini Cooper 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.
Half of all 2002 Mini Mini Cooper vehicles fall between 34,615 and 64,939 miles.
2002 Mini Mini Cooper — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 18% of 2002 Mini Mini Coopers are still active.
Numbers are declining — 39 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (18% of peak).
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
Or browse all models: Mini →
Compare with another model
See how the 2002 Mini Mini Cooper stacks up against a rival.