Model year guide

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster at a glance

Owner complaints67
Combined30 mpg
Typical price$17,500

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster common problems

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster MPG & running costs

Combined30 mpg
City27 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,750

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster worth?

Low
$13,500
Typical price
$17,500
High
$24,750

From 7 comparable 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,750
Fuel only$13,750
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · S · John Cooper Works
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster vehicles on record

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster John Cooper WorksWMWSY5C59CT312503 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster SWMWSY3C53CT144698 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster SWMWSY3C5XCT144391 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster BaseWMWSY1C50CT311801 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster SWMWSY3C50CT144223 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster BaseWMWSY1C57CT429005 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster BaseWMWSY1C54CT429138

Other Mini Cooper Roadster model years

2015 2014 2013

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster — frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster?

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster get?

The 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster has a U.S. EPA estimate of 30 mpg combined (27 city / 34 highway).

How much is a 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster worth?

Comparable 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster listings run roughly $13,500–$24,750, typically around $17,500 (from 7 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.