Used car guide

2008 MINI Clubman petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol MINI Clubman first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 194 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 194 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

194MOTs of 2008 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
57%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 MINI Clubman petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 MINI Clubman petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    MINI Clubman
    24.7% All 2008 cars
    11.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 MINI Clubman petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 MINI Clubman petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 MINI Clubman petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 MINI Clubman petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a MINI Clubman?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the MINI Clubman compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022248Tyres 26%
2021356Tyres 28%
2020125Tyres 33%
2019937Tyres 31%
201818,537Tyres 32%
201724,214Tyres 31%
201626,712Tyres 31%
20154,272Tyres 31%
2014–Too few tests
2013161Tyres 28%
2012263Tyres 32%
2011365Lights and electrics 30%
2010281Lights and electrics 41%
2009267Suspension 37%
2007–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of MINI Clubman cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score