Owning a MINI: what to keep on top of
Follow the service prompts on the dashboard, and on older petrol Coopers listen for timing chain rattle on a cold start. Run-flat tyres wear differently from normal ones, so watch the MOT tyre advisories.
- Condition Based Service prompts for oil and brake fluid.
- Timing chain rattle on earlier 1.6 petrol engines.
- Run-flat tyre wear on models fitted with them.
- Clutch wear on manual Cooper S models.
Is my MINI ULEZ compliant?
Petrol MINIs registered from 2006 generally meet ULEZ, which covers most Cooper and Cooper S models. Diesel Cooper D and Countryman D models need Euro 6, usually met from September 2015, so earlier diesels often pay the £12.50 daily charge. The Electric is exempt.
Can you get a MINI service history by registration?
MINI retailers use the same digital service book as BMW. For MINIs from model year 2012 the Full HPI Check with Service History reads it for £14.95, so you can match each visit to the dashboard prompts. If nothing is held, you pay nothing for that part.
Which MINI models can be checked?
Every MINI with a UK registration, including the Hatch, Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman, Convertible and Electric.
Last reviewed by ServiceLad.