The Mini Cooper Convertible spans 2004–2026 with 12 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2011, 2012, 2015 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2004, 2005, 2006. It delivers up to 32 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Mini Cooper Convertible a good car?
Short answer: yes, with the usual caveat about model years. Our score for the Mini Cooper Convertible is 4.0 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the electrical system — 95 of the 256 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 2004, 2005, 2006 score best in our data, and 2011, 2012 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Mini Cooper Convertible is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2004 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mini Cooper Convertible VIN — every digit explained
Every Mini Cooper Convertible carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mini and the country it was built in (real Mini codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Cooper Convertible.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- —3T1 · 421
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. To decode a VIN number position by position, including the year-code table and where to find the number on a Cooper Convertible, use our free tool.
How many recalls does the Mini Cooper Convertible have?
The Mini Cooper Convertible has 12 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 1
Seat Belts:front:retractor
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
Risk. A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 7, 2025.
2025 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 1
Seat Belts:front:retractor
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
Risk. A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 7, 2025.
2009 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 1
Tires
What's wrong. BMW IS RECALLING 12 MY 2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE DELIVERED WITH 15-INCH WHEELS INSTEAD OF 16-INCH WHEELS AS INTENDED, AND THE TIRE LABEL INDICATES 16 INCH WHEELS.
Risk. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT CONFORM TO THE TIRE LABEL AS REQUIRED.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE 15 INCH WHEELS WITH 16-INCH WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-646-4772.
2008 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk. An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Fix. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
2007 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 2
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk. An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Fix. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.' THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE TIRE SIZE AND CORRESPONDING TIRE PRESSURE BE INDICATED ON THE LABEL AND THE LABEL DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO THE ACTUAL TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE.
Risk. INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR AND TIRE DAMAGE WHICH COULD LEAD TO UNFAVORABLE DRIVING CONDITIONS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW TIRE INFORMATION PLACARDS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MINI AT 1-866-275-6464.
2006 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk. An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Fix. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
2005 Mini Cooper Convertible recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk. An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Fix. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Best and worst years for the Mini Cooper Convertible
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 23 tracked years, the worst years are 2011, 2012, 2015 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2004, 2005, 2006.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Cooper Convertible | — | Best | |
| 2005 Cooper Convertible | — | Best | |
| 2006 Cooper Convertible | — | Best | |
| 2007 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2008 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2009 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2010 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2011 Cooper Convertible | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2012 Cooper Convertible | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2013 Cooper Convertible | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2014 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2015 Cooper Convertible | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2016 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2017 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2018 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2019 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2020 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2021 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2022 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2023 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2024 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2025 Cooper Convertible | — | Average | |
| 2026 Cooper Convertible | — | Average |
What are the most common Mini Cooper Convertible problems?
The most-reported Mini Cooper Convertible problems are Seats (10 reports), Tires (2 reports) and Engine (48 reports) — out of 256 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mini Cooper Convertible specifications & dimensions
The 2014 Mini Cooper Convertible measures 146″ long on a 97″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,778 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Mini Cooper Convertible window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 146″ | 66″ | 56″ | 97″ | 2,778 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Mini Cooper Convertible cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Cooper Convertible holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 81 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Mini Cooper Convertible tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Mini Cooper Convertible get?
The Mini Cooper Convertible returns up to 32 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,400/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2024 Mini Cooper Convertible (1.5L 3-cyl) gets 32 mpg combined and costs about $2,400/yr to fuel, emitting 274 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 7/10) — about $1,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Cooper Convertible | 29 | 38 | $2,400 | 274 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2023 Cooper Convertible | 29 | 38 | $2,400 | 273 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2022 Cooper Convertible | 29 | 38 | $2,400 | 273 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2021 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 37 | $2,500 | 280 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2020 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 36 | $2,500 | 281 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2019 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 37 | $2,500 | 282 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2018 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 37 | $2,400 | 280 | 7/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2017 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 37 | $2,400 | 281 | 9/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl | |
| 2016 Cooper Convertible | 27 | 36 | $2,550 | 294 | 9/10 | 1.5L 3-cyl |
The 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible (2L 4-cyl) gets 30 mpg combined and costs about $2,550/yr to fuel, emitting 287 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 6/10) — about $1,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Cooper Convertible | 27 | 37 | $2,550 | 287 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 Cooper Convertible | 26 | 33 | $2,650 | 304 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2014 Cooper Convertible | 27 | 34 | $2,550 | 295 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2013 Cooper Convertible | 27 | 34 | $2,550 | 300 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2012 Cooper Convertible | 27 | 34 | $2,550 | 296 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2011 Cooper Convertible | 27 | 34 | $2,550 | 296 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2010 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 36 | $2,500 | 287 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2009 Cooper Convertible | 28 | 36 | $2,400 | 278 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2008 Cooper Convertible | 23 | 32 | $2,950 | 342 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2007 Cooper Convertible | 23 | 32 | $2,950 | 342 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2006 Cooper Convertible | 24 | 32 | $2,850 | 329 | 1/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2005 Cooper Convertible | 24 | 32 | $2,850 | 329 | 1/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Cooper Convertible stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Cooper Convertible's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Mini Cooper Convertible have? Power & range
The Mini Cooper Convertible is offered with 2 powertrains — 1.5L 3-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cyl | 1.5L · 3-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | FWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Mini Cooper Convertible cost to own?
A used Mini Cooper Convertible sells for a median of about $13,500 for a 2019 — most listed between $5,950 and $14,950, from 73 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cooper Convertible | $5,950–$14,950 | 5 | |
| 2017 Cooper Convertible | $8,800–$12,870 | 8 | |
| 2014 Cooper Convertible | $5,900–$10,495 | 8 | |
| 2013 Cooper Convertible | $1,000–$11,495 | 5 | |
| 2012 Cooper Convertible | $4,750–$11,999 | 5 | |
| 2010 Cooper Convertible | $2,500–$7,999 | 10 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Cooper Convertible is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Mini Cooper Convertible tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Cooper Convertible loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Cooper Convertible ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Mini Cooper Convertible to insure?
A Mini Cooper Convertible costs about $959 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 33% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (67, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Cooper Convertible's HLDI loss index. See Mini insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Mini Cooper Convertible safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Cooper Convertible yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Mini Cooper Convertible last?
A well-maintained Mini Cooper Convertible typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Mini Cooper Convertible’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Cooper Convertible’s VIN free →All Mini Cooper Convertible model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mini Cooper Convertible — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2025 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2024 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2018 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2016 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2015 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2014 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2013 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2012 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2011 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2010 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — | |
| 2009 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2008 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2007 Cooper Convertible | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2006 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2005 Cooper Convertible | 1 recall | — | |
| 2004 Cooper Convertible | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Cooper Convertible?
By owner-complaint volume, 2011, 2012, 2015 drew the most reports. 2004, 2005, 2006 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Cooper Convertible have?
12 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Mini recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Cooper Convertible get?
Up to 32 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Cooper Convertible last?
A well-maintained Cooper Convertible typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Cooper Convertible reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Cooper Convertible is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Mini Cooper Convertible warranty?
New Mini models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Mini dealer.
Where is the Mini Cooper Convertible made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Cooper Convertible's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Mini may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Cooper Convertible have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.