2012 MINI Cooper diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 MINI Cooper diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 MINI Cooper diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Sidelights1.7× usual
  MINI Cooper

  7.8% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 4.1% of all 2012 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.

• Wheels2.7× usual
  MINI Cooper

  4.3% All 2012 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2012 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.

• Windscreen1.8× usual
  MINI Cooper

  5.1% All 2012 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 2012 MINI Cooper diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 MINI Cooper diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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
  27% 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
  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.

• Suspension
  25% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2012 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 2012 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 sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 MINI Cooper diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2012 MINI Cooper diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 MINI Cooper diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?