KNOWN FAULTS · MINI

MINI MINI (F56/F55/F57) One / Cooper 1.5 (B38) common problems.

2014–2024 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Applies if: Only the 3-door F56 with standard suspension built up to 14/7/2015.

Rear axle knocking in cold weather from the rear shock absorbers (MINI F56)Suspension and steering

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.

Crankshaft thrust bearing and carbon on the 1.5 three-cylinder (B38)Engine

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.

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Engine mounts, wet boot and campaigns on the MINI F55/F56/F57Known weak points

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.