If you are the proud owner of a MINI, we know how much you probably love it. A different twist on a sporty car, MINI’s offer a racing history and the ability to fit into tight squeezes, not to mention it’s a perfect city car with outstanding fuel efficiency. It’s rare to meet a MINI owner who doesn’t adore his car. One of the reasons is that they are designed to last a long time, but just like every other car, MINIs have a common set of problems. Here are 4 different common issues MINIs have and what you can do to prevent them.

Transmission Issues

Your transmission is the part of your MINI that transmits the power from your engine to the wheels themselves, which helps make your car move. Your transmission might have issues if you are driving and your car feels like it changes gear for no reason, feels like it is struggling to accelerate, or lags in shifting gears. To avoid transmission issues in your MINI and avoid paying thousands of dollars for repairs, try to change the transmission fluid every 40,000-50,000 miles.

Variable Valve Timing-Based Performance Issues

The variable valves inside of your engine can easily get blocked with sludge if the oil has not been changed enough. The clogging of the valves results in a drastically lower gas mileage, which is undesirable for virtually anyone. To prevent this issue, try and change the oil as soon as you notice the oil getting dirty, even if it’s not technically time for a change yet.

Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Leak

The water pump in your MINI is used to pump coolant through the engine, in order to cool it off while it’s working. The thermostat housing actually blocks coolant from entering the engine until it warms up enough to need it. Frequently, these components in MINIs develop leaks that may take hours of labor to fix. In general it’s a good idea to replace your water pump and thermostat if it has over 50,000 miles.

You took great care picking out your MINI, and you want it to meet all of your expectations. These common problems in these otherwise reliable vehicles can be easily prevented by have awareness and taking the maintenance action necessary. If you want specialized help caring for your MINI, we know exactly how to help at Motorcars International. Call us or schedule an appointment today and we’ll give your MINI the attention and care it deserves!