2009 MINI Cooper petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)6.6× usual
  MINI Cooper

  11.9% All 2009 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, 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.

• Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
  MINI Cooper

  17.2% All 2009 cars

  9.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, 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.

• Sub-frame2× usual
  MINI Cooper

  12.3% All 2009 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, 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.

• Sidelights1.7× usual
  MINI Cooper

  12% All 2009 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, 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 joints2.1× usual
  MINI Cooper

  4.9% 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.

Common 2009 MINI Cooper petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Suspension
  28% 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
  26% 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
  19% 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
  18% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 MINI Cooper petrol

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.

• Timing chain rattle (petrol)

  Petrol

  Worn timing chains and guides are a known costly repair on these petrol engines, often from low oil levels.

  At the viewing: Ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive. A rattle on a cold start is a warning sign.

  Source: Parkers: MINI hatch buying guide

• Turbo wear (Cooper S)

  Turbo petrol models

  High oil use can wear the turbo quickly on turbo petrol models.

  At the viewing: Once warm, rev it hard and look for blue smoke or a burning oil smell.

  Source: Parkers: MINI hatch buying guide

• 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 petrol

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

1. Can I hear it start from cold? Has the timing chain ever been replaced?
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 6.6× as often on the 2009 MINI Cooper petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2009 MINI Cooper petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 MINI Cooper petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?