MINI models, prices and problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

CarWhere’s MINI hub collects free research for MINI shoppers and owners: 4 model guides covering the Cooper, Countryman and John Cooper Works, used-buyer guides for the Clubman, 47 trim levels with dated MINI MSRPs, 55 known issues and NHTSA recalls, plus VIN tools. Every page lists its sources.

MINI sells the Cooper as a 2 Door, 4 Door and Convertible, the larger Countryman crossover and John Cooper Works performance versions in the US; the Clubman ended production in 2024. These pages explain each generation, the trims and engines, and the recalls NHTSA has documented, so you know what to check on a specific car before you buy it.

MINI models

Price, trims, engines, mpg, generations and problems for each MINI line.

MINI CooperNewSubcompact 2-door hatchback, 4-door hatchback and 2-door convertible. From $29,500 (2027 MY); trims, engines, mpg, generations and problems.MINI CountrymanNewCompact SUV, five seats. From $38,900 (2027 MY); trims, engines, mpg, generations and problems.MINI John Cooper WorksNewPerformance versions of the MINI Cooper 2 Door, Convertible and Countryman. From $38,900 (2027 MY); trims, engines, mpg, generations and problems.MINI ClubmanNewCompact wagon-style hatchback with split rear doors, five seats. Used-buyer guide: generations, engines and known problems.

MINI trim levels

Current and previous-generation trims with dated MSRPs.

MINI trim levels explainedNew47 trims across 2 MINI models.Cooper trim levelsNewThe 2027 MINI Cooper comes in three trim levels: Signature, Signature Plus and Iconic.Countryman trim levelsNewThe 2027 MINI Countryman comes in two trim levels, Signature Plus and Iconic, on each of its three versions.

MINI prices

Dealer invoice estimates and current incentives. Compare offers as a target discount off MSRP in dollars and percent, before rebates and without dealer add-ons.

Cooper dealer invoice priceEstimated dealer cost by trim.Countryman dealer invoice priceEstimated dealer cost by trim.Clubman dealer invoice priceEstimated dealer cost by trim.MINI incentives and rebatesCurrent MINI cash, lease and APR offers.Dealer invoice price by VINEstimate what the dealer paid for a specific new MINI.

Buying a used MINI

What goes wrong, which years drew complaints, and how values hold up.

MINI known issues by modelNew55 documented problems and recalls across 4 models.Cooper problemsNewKnown issues by generation and NHTSA recall campaigns.Countryman problemsNewKnown issues by generation and NHTSA recall campaigns.John Cooper Works problemsNewKnown issues by generation and NHTSA recall campaigns.Clubman problemsNewKnown issues by generation and NHTSA recall campaigns.Is MINI reliable?MINI reliability from NHTSA complaints per vehicle sold, by model.Cooper years to avoidModel years ranked by owner-complaint volume.Clubman years to avoidModel years ranked by owner-complaint volume.Best Cooper yearsThe strongest model years to buy used.Best Clubman yearsThe strongest model years to buy used.How long do MINI models last?Share of used MINI models past 150,000 and 200,000 miles.Countryman depreciationMedian asking price by model year vs new.Find a MINI for saleSearch live MINI listings from dealers nationwide.

Decode a MINI

Start from the VIN or the factory build record.

Free MINI VIN decoderYear, model, body, engine and assembly plant from any 17-character MINI VIN.MINI build sheet by VINFactory colors, options and packages for a specific VIN, checked free before you pay.MINI specs by modelDimensions, capacities and powertrain specs for MINI model years.BMW research hubRelated CarWhere research.

MINI research by model

MINI models with links to their guide, trim levels, known issues, years to avoid, dealer invoice and specs
ModelTrim levelsKnown issuesYears to avoidDealer invoiceSpecs
MINI CooperCooper trimsCooper problemsCooper years to avoidCooper invoice2026 Cooper S 2-door specs
MINI CountrymanCountryman trimsCountryman problems—Countryman invoice2026 Countryman S ALL4 specs
MINI John Cooper Works—John Cooper Works problems——2026 JCW 2-door specs
MINI Clubman—Clubman problemsClubman years to avoidClubman invoice2024 Cooper S Clubman specs

Know exactly how your MINI was built at the factory.

See what a specific MINI VIN was factory-built with. The CarWhere MINI build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

MINI build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What models does MINI sell in the US?

CarWhere covers 3 current MINI models: Cooper, Countryman and John Cooper Works. Each model guide lists the current price range, powertrains and generations with MINI and EPA sources.

What is the cheapest new MINI?

Of the models covered here, the MINI Cooper has the lowest published starting price: $29,500 MSRP for the 2027 model year (MINI USA base MSRPs for 2027, before the $1,350 destination and handling charge: from the Cooper C 2 Door with Signature Trim ($29,500) to the JCW Convertible with Iconic Trim ($49,000). The Oxford Edition 2 Door is $25,500 and the 4 Door $26,500).

What is the difference between a MINI Cooper and a Cooper S?

The Cooper S uses a more powerful turbocharged engine than the base Cooper, and John Cooper Works sits above both as the performance version. The Cooper guide lists each version’s output and EPA ratings by generation.

How do I check a MINI for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN on NHTSA’s recall lookup or ask a MINI dealer to run it. Recall repairs are free. CarWhere’s known-issues pages list recall campaign numbers by model and generation.

How do I find out what options my MINI has?

Start with the paperwork that came with the car. If it is lost, a build sheet reconstructed from the VIN shows factory colors, options and packages where detailed build data exists, and the free VIN decoder shows basics such as engine, body and plant.

Sources

Each linked page lists its own detailed sources. The hub's figures come from these datasets and references.

  1. CarWhere MINI model guides (4 models) — CarWhere
  2. CarWhere MINI trim-levels dataset (47 trims) — CarWhere
  3. CarWhere MINI known-issues dataset (55 issues) — CarWhere
  4. BMW Group Newsroom Americas — MINI USA press releases, pricing and specifications — BMW Group / MINI USA
  5. EPA fuel economy data — U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  6. Recalls Data (NHTSA recall campaigns) — U.S. Department of Transportation open data

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by MINI USA or BMW Group. MINI, John Cooper Works, Countryman, Clubman and the model names are trademarks of BMW AG.