2010 MINI Countryman: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 MINI Countryman?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 MINI Countryman than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
  MINI Countryman

  15.4% All 2010 cars

  8.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2010 MINI Countryman MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 MINI Countryman MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  25% 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
  21% 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.

• Brakes
  20% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• 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.

Known faults on the 2010 MINI Countryman

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.

• Early clutch wear (ALL4 built before Nov 2012)

  ALL4 built before Nov 2012

  Four-wheel-drive ALL4 models built before November 2012 can wear out their clutch early. Later cars got a stronger clutch.

  At the viewing: Check the clutch bites low and doesn't slip when you accelerate hard in a high gear.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Countryman (Mk1, 2010-2017) problems and recalls

• Electrical fire risk recalls

  Cooper S, JCW and Cooper SD

  Cooper S and John Cooper Works models (2012) and Cooper SD diesels (2013) were recalled for short circuits that could cause a fire.

  At the viewing: Ask a MINI dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Countryman (Mk1, 2010-2017) problems and recalls

• Rattling trim

  All engines

  Rattles from the dashboard and door cards are common.

  At the viewing: Drive on a rough road and listen.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Countryman (Mk1, 2010-2017) problems and recalls

• Reading lights left on

  All engines

  The interior reading lights can switch themselves on when the car is locked and flatten the battery.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the battery has gone flat.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Countryman (Mk1, 2010-2017) problems and recalls

• Corroded two-tone alloys and peeling chrome

  All engines

  Two-tone alloy wheels corrode, and the plastic chrome trim can peel.

  At the viewing: Look at the wheels and exterior trim.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Countryman (Mk1, 2010-2017) problems and recalls

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 MINI Countryman

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

1. Has the clutch been replaced, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2010 MINI Countryman as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?