Mini Countryman
Registered from 2009 to 2025.
About this model
The Mini Countryman, also called Mini Crossover in Japan until 2024, is a compact crossover SUV, the first vehicle of this type to be launched by BMW under the Mini marque. It was launched in 2010 and received a facelift in 2014. The second generation vehicle was released in 2017 and received a facelift in 2020. The third generation of the Countryman was released in 2023.
From the Wikipedia article Mini Countryman, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2019 1.5 petrol. 608 of 8,514 tests failed, 7%.
Better than 71% of 2019 cars. The typical one fails 9%, across 908 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 56% | 342 |
| Visibility | 40% | 241 |
| Lights and electrics | 7% | 42 |
| Brakes | 5% | 33 |
| Suspension | 2% | 15 |
| Body and structure | 2% | 10 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Where it stands out against its peers
- Visibility: failed more often than 92% of 2019 cars — 40% of its 608 failed tests, where an ordinary 2019 car has 17%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 56% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 5% of its failures
- Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 7% of its failures
- Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator
- Visibility — 40% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 60–80k miles this one fails 10% of its inspections, against the 14% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 5% | 3,120 | |
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 9% | 4,441 | |
| 40–60k miles | 8% | 12% | 829 | |
| 60–80k miles | 10% | 14% | 110 |
8,500 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.5 petrol · 101 hp · 1482 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 6.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.5 petrol · 101 hp · 1471 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.5 petrol · 101 hp · 1456 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 6.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.5 petrol · 101 hp · 1446 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/01616/24
In the production process, the armrest support bracket may have been incorrectly screwed to the rear left or right door panel. In the event of an accident, the armrest bracket can become detached, damaging the thorax airbag in the deployment area. This increases the risk of injuries to the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01977/24
The seat recliner adjuster may not be correctly welded, which could cause the backrest not to lock. If it doesn't lock, the seatback might not stay secure in a collision, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00051/25
The hollow shaft of the servomotor has been welded incorrectly. The weld may not be able to withstand high braking pressure build-up and may break. In this case, the reduced braking performance requires greater force and the braking distance may increase. In addition, the ABS and DSC brake control systems are not assisted. This increases the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/01910/25
The front end may not be correctly bolted to the engine subframe. If one of the bolts has not been properly tightened and becomes detached, vehicle safety may be compromised in the event of a frontal collision. In this event, there may be an increased risk of injury. Moreover, a detached bolt can pose a risk of accident to the following traffic. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/03058/25
Faulty screwing of the ground cable can increase the contact resistance which could lead to heating of the screw connection. Moreover, this can potentially damage the Power Control Unit (PCU), increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/03495/25
The seat belts of the car were not manufactured correctly. In the event of a collision or accident, the restraint function of the seat belts may be reduced and may not provide the necessary protection. As a result, there may be an increased risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users