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Chart based on 20 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 172hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
81700 mi
US $200
Drivers side tail light had a short in the backup light socket. Tried replacing the bulb, but still didn't work, so I replaced both tail light housings with after market LED versions (so they matched).
15000 mi
window motor quit working, rolled window half way down when rolled all the way up, auto window close did not work. software flash resolved.
14000 mi
US $110
Door handle began to malfunction requiring multiple attempts to open door. The door handle is the comfort access with the keyless entry radio transmitter. The part was ordered and was in within 3 days.
10000 mi
Windows incorrectly dropping for anti-pinch protection. Footwell module ordered.
11000 mi
Replaced footwell module to solve window problem.
97000 mi
Replace HID headlight bulb.
69300 mi
US $300
Replaced car antenna.
89000 mi
US $1700
Replace alternator Dead, normal wear and tear, original battery from 2008
Driver's window would not consistently close or open and did not "dip" when the door was opened. Dealer updated vehicle SW and then re-initialized windows. Problem solved. Rear window defroster inoperative. Problem discovered to be fault inside of rear window itself. Dealer replaced window. Note this was noticed after used car purchase but within first 30 days.
Warranty repair - drivers door window not operating correctly - required computer reinitialization
7440 mi
Known problem with window computer - computer loses track of the window position and does not roll up or down properly. Fixed by recoding the computer module.
14000 mi
passenger window wouldn't automatically go up.
26800 mi
Airbag warning light on. Diagnosed as a faulty sensor in the driver's seat that controls the rate of airbag inflation.
19000 mi
Minor problem with windows not closing correctly - no auto-up on passenger's window, and sometimes required a few tries to get it closed even manually.
32000 mi
Gas gauge reading sometimes inaccurate. Repaired even though they couldn't see it happen.
45000 mi
Window auto-close function broken again.
9000 mi
Passenger air bag light illuminates, meaning the air bag has been disabled in spite of there being a fullgrown passenger of sufficient weight seated properly. Driver's side window malfunction - window was "possessed" and opened halfway automatically when driver tried to close the window.
10000 mi
Window malfunction - auto up failed and when closed using switch, window would automatically open halfway.
11000 mi
submitted lemon-law paperwork; dealer could not replicate for our 2008 MINI, but the service manager and head mechanic did witness this problem when we test drove a dealer-buyback 2009 to replace the 2008
52000 mi
US $250
Computer had to have software updated or reinstalled to fix a problem with the passenger window rolling up but not staying up: It immediately would Goode 6"
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently 2008 Mini Hardtop problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.