Known faults for the MINI MINI (F56/F55/F57).

Engine / equipment

MINI F56 3-door (Cooper and Cooper S) with standard suspension, built up to 14/7/2015

Period mentioned

2014–2015

Symptoms

Hammering from the rear axle area over rough road surfaces in low temperatures; it goes away when it gets warmer.

Possible cause described

The rear shock absorbers make an internal noise in the cold. MINI describes it in its technical bulletin SI M33 01 15, and the fix is to replace both rear shock absorbers.

Check for the garage

Tell the garage it only happens in the cold and over bumps; ask them to check the rear shock absorbers before looking at the engine or the brakes.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.5 three-cylinder B38 (also in the plug-in hybrids): BMW 1 Series, 2 Series Active Tourer, X1, X2 and MINI

Period mentioned

2014 onwards

Symptoms

On early engines with a manual gearbox, crankshaft thrust-bearing damage that can end in serious failure; over the years, loss of power and higher consumption from carbon in the intake, valves and injectors.

Possible cause described

The half-shell thrust bearing was too weak; a 360-degree one has been fitted since April 2015. BMW issued no recall but offered goodwill repairs. The German guide sees no chain problems and says early oil consumption has largely disappeared; the petrol particulate filter (from March 2018) rarely causes trouble.

Check for the garage

On engines before April 2015 with a manual gearbox, ask BMW whether the bearing upgrade was done and listen for crankshaft noises; use quality fuel and inspect the intake if power drops.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Third-generation MINI F55, F56 and F57 (petrol, diesel and Cooper SE)

Period mentioned

2014–2024

Symptoms

Knocking from the engine bay due to engine mounts and a torque strut worn at low mileage; water in the boot and spare-wheel well of the F56; at inspection, headlights and handbrake and service brake; on petrols, carbon on the injectors and intake at high mileage; on the B37/B47 diesels, particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel, turbo, EGR and injectors.

Possible cause described

The German guide finds the B38/B48 and B37/B47 engines reliable; in the ADAC statistics the MINI is always green. Recalls: the spare-well bracket nut (2013–2014), seat height adjustment (August–September 2014), airbags (about 200 cars from 2016) and glycol leaking from the EGR cooler with a fire risk on the four-cylinder diesels (April 2015–September 2016).

Check for the garage

Listen for knocks when accelerating and lifting off; lift the boot floor; check campaigns by VIN.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

B47 and B57 diesel and B48 and B58 petrol modular engines (BMW from 2014–2015 and MINI from 2014)

Period mentioned

2014–2026

Symptoms

Coolant loss with a low-level warning, coolant or oil residue at the rear of the engine; on diesels, internal coolant loss with no visible leak (EGR cooler).

Possible cause described

On the B48 and B58 the water pump leaks (from its weep hole) and the oil filter housing with heat exchanger can crack; on 2017–2021 B58s the crankcase ventilation valve also fails. On the diesels the EGR cooler can leak internally and mix coolant with soot: BMW issued a recall over the risk of the intake manifold catching fire.

Check for the garage

Check the coolant level, look for leaks under the water pump and at the oil filter housing, and on diesels confirm by VIN whether the EGR cooler campaign was done.

Cost cited in the source

Water pump: relatively cheap to replace; oil filter housing: more labour-intensive; EGR cooler: free if covered by the campaignA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–195,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database