2009 MINI Cooper diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 MINI Cooper diesel?

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

• Sub-frame3.7× usual
  MINI Cooper

  21.9% All 2009 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

• Sidelights2.5× usual
  MINI Cooper

  17% All 2009 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 6% of all 2009 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.

• Steering rack inner joints2.3× usual
  MINI Cooper

  5.3% All 2009 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Wheels2.3× usual
  MINI Cooper

  4.8% All 2009 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.6% of all 2009 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 2009 MINI Cooper diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  45% 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
  35% 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
  35% 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
  33% 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
  14% 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
  10% 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 2009 MINI Cooper diesel

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.

• Worn water pump

  A whistle at idle that goes when you blip the throttle usually means the water pump is worn.

  At the viewing: Listen at tickover once the engine is warm.

  If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

  Source: Parkers: MINI hatch buying guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 MINI Cooper diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2009 MINI Cooper diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2009 MINI Cooper diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2009 MINI Cooper diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?