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2018 Mini Cooper Se
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
6 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 6 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Mini Cooper Se, plotted where owners report it happening.
Electrical system
33%2 complaints
“UNKNOWN Driver side tail light socket. All lights stopped working. Took out the socket and the wiring harness connector burned up”
Airbags
33%2 complaints
“I WAS AT A STOP BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS BACKED UP IN TOWN NEAR THE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE AND A CAR REAR ENDED ME, PUSHING ME INTO THE CAR AHEAD. THE REAR CAR WAS MOVING AT AT L…”
Engine
17%1 complaints
“Took car into mini dealer for clunking noise problem. Dealer indicated motor mounts were cracked and needed to be replaced. Another customer at dealer was also having …”
Brakes
17%1 complaints
“FEBRUARY 21, 2019 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAILED. WHEN I PUMPED THEM A SECOND TIME THEY CAME TO A STOP, HOWEVER BY THEN THE CAR A…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Mini COOPER SE beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Cooper Se model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Mini Cooper Se against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.