2009 MINI Clubman petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 MINI Clubman petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 MINI Clubman petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)8.7× usual
  MINI Clubman

  15.7% All 2009 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 14.1%, against 1.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Sub-frame2.8× usual
  MINI Clubman

  16.8% All 2009 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Engine oil leaks2× usual
  MINI Clubman

  18.8% All 2009 cars

  9.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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 2009 MINI Clubman petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 MINI Clubman petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  38% 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.

• 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.

• Lights and electrics
  32% 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
  29% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  27% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 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 exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 8.7× as often on the 2009 MINI Clubman petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2009 MINI Clubman petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 MINI Clubman petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?