2016 MINI Cooper: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Wheels2.1× usual
  MINI Cooper

  2.3% All 2016 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, 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.

Common 2016 MINI Cooper MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  30% 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
  14% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  6% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 MINI Cooper

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Clutch hydraulics and pedal spring

  Manual gearbox

  On manual cars the clutch can play up, either from the hydraulics or the pedal return spring.

  At the viewing: Feel the clutch pedal on the test drive: it should be smooth and come back up fully.

  If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

• Jumping out of gear

  Manual gearbox

  Some cars jump out of gear, usually first gear at low speed. Adjusting the gear linkage usually fixes it.

  At the viewing: Pull away in first several times and check it stays in gear.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

• Paint worn at the door pillar

  All engines

  Door rubbers can wear through the paint on the pillar behind the front doors.

  At the viewing: Open the doors and check the paint on the pillar.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 MINI Cooper

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

1. Has the clutch or its hydraulics had any work?
2. Has the gear linkage been adjusted?
3. Has any paintwork been done?
4. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2016 MINI Cooper as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?