2016 MINI Clubman: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 MINI Clubman?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 MINI Clubman than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Wheels3.2× usual
  MINI Clubman

  3.5% All 2016 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brake lights2.2× usual
  MINI Clubman

  4% All 2016 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Side repeaters3.4× usual
  MINI Clubman

  2.4% All 2016 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Common 2016 MINI Clubman MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 MINI Clubman MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  17% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  14% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 MINI Clubman

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2016 MINI Clubman as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 MINI Clubman as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2016 MINI Clubman as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?