2020 MINI Cooper hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Windscreen1.9× usual
  MINI Cooper

  3% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2020 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 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Brakes
  3% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Lights and electrics
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  1% 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.

Known faults on the 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid

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.

• Clutch hydraulics and pedal spring

  Manual gearbox

  On manual cars the clutch can play up, either from the hydraulics or the pedal return spring.

  At the viewing: Feel the clutch pedal on the test drive: it should be smooth and come back up fully.

  If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

• Jumping out of gear

  Manual gearbox

  Some cars jump out of gear, usually first gear at low speed. Adjusting the gear linkage usually fixes it.

  At the viewing: Pull away in first several times and check it stays in gear.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

• Paint worn at the door pillar

  All engines

  Door rubbers can wear through the paint on the pillar behind the front doors.

  At the viewing: Open the doors and check the paint on the pillar.

  Source: Auto Express: used MINI Mk3 buyer's guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid

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

1. Has the clutch or its hydraulics had any work?
2. Has the gear linkage been adjusted?
3. Has any paintwork been done?
4. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2020 MINI Cooper hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?