CarBrief

NHTSA has no owner complaints[1] and no recalls[2] on file for the 2010 MINI Cooper. The best EPA combined rating is 32 mpg[3].

0owner complaints[1]
27–32MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for the 2010 MINI Cooper[1]. That includes 0 that mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths[1].

An empty record is good news on paper. It does not prove the car has no faults. Complaints are unverified reports sent in by owners, and a model year with few reports gives us little to go on. Because there are no complaints, we have no component breakdown to share.

A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic is still the best way to learn about one particular car.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 0 recalls for model year 2010[2]. Nothing in our data needs fixing under a recall for this model year.

Fuel economy

All versions in the EPA data use premium fuel and front-wheel drive[4][3]. Ratings and estimated yearly fuel cost, from best to worst:

Version City / hwy / combined Yearly fuel cost
Cooper, manual 6-spd[3] 28 / 37 / 32 $2,550
Cooper Convertible, manual 6-spd[4] 28 / 36 / 31 $2,650
Cooper S, manual 6-spd[5] 26 / 34 / 29 $2,850
Cooper S Convertible, manual 6-spd[6] 26 / 34 / 29 $2,850
Cooper, automatic (S6)[7] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,950
Cooper Convertible, automatic (S6)[8] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,950
Cooper S, automatic (S6)[9] 24 / 32 / 27 $3,050
Cooper S Convertible, automatic (S6)[10] 24 / 32 / 27 $3,050

The manual is rated higher than the automatic in every pairing. EPA bases the yearly cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not on prices when the car was new.

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2010 MINI Cooper with a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine rated 120 to 205 hp, depending on version[11]. The turbo is named in the Cooper S fuel economy entries[5].

These size figures are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Cooper hatch[12] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,546 lb
Cooper convertible[13] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,546 lb
Cooper S hatch[14] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,668 lb
Cooper S convertible[15] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,668 lb
Cooper Clubman[16] 155 in 66 in 56 in 100 in 2,723 lb
Cooper Clubman S[17] 156 in 66 in 56 in 100 in 2,855 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

2002: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20062007: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20082009: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20092010: 0 complaints, 0 recalls020102026: 3 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cooper model year. The 2010 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200700
200800
200900
201000
202631

NHTSA lists 0 complaints and 0 recalls for every MINI Cooper model year from 2002 through 2025, and for 2027[2]. The one exception is 2026, with 3 complaints and 1 recall[2]. So 2010 looks the same as nearly every other year in the data. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they say little about which year is better.

Should you buy a used 2010 MINI Cooper?

The federal record for this model year is clean. NHTSA has no complaints[1] and no recalls[2]. Fuel economy is decent, with up to 32 mpg combined for the manual Cooper[3]. Still, a record with no reports is thin evidence, and our data cannot tell you about oil use, repair costs or how a specific car was treated. Check the service history and have the car inspected before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2010 MINI Cooper?
NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. That does not rule out problems, so an inspection is still wise.
Are there any recalls on the 2010 MINI Cooper?
NHTSA shows 0 recalls for model year 2010[2].
What gas mileage does the 2010 MINI Cooper get?
EPA combined ratings range from 27 to 32 mpg, depending on version[9][3]. The Cooper with a 6-speed manual is best at 32[3], and the Cooper S with the automatic (S6) is lowest at 27[9].
How much horsepower does the 2010 MINI Cooper have?
The EPA lists the 1.6L 4-cylinder at 120 to 205 hp, depending on version[11].
Is the 2010 MINI Cooper a better year than others?
By NHTSA counts it matches nearly every other year, which show 0 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. Only 2026 differs, with 3 complaints and 1 recall[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for the 2010 MINI Cooper (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every MINI Cooper model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Cooper, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for Cooper Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA rating for Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. EPA rating for Cooper S Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. EPA rating for Cooper, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. EPA rating for Cooper Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. EPA rating for Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. EPA rating for Cooper S Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  11. EPA Test Car List, 2010 MINI Cooper with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 120 to 205 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  12. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER CLASSIC/COOPER 2DR HATCH FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,546 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  13. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,546 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  14. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER S 2DR HATCH FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,668 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER S 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,668 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER CLUBMAN 4DR HATCH FWD: length 155 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,723 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER CLUBMAN S 4DR HATCH FWD: length 156 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,855 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.