Problems with the clutch on MINI: affected models and engines

In 3 models from MINI there are 4 documented faults with the clutch. The most important: faults in the CVT automatic gearbox, the manual gearbox and the clutch, noise and premature wear of the manual gearbox and clutch and premature wear of the clutch and flywheel.

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Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the MINI models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: CommonMINI Cooper R50Faults in the CVT automatic gearbox, the manual gearbox and the clutchAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Mini R50 accumulates 22 gearbox mentions and 32 clutch mentions, and the CVT automatic variant is described as fragile and 'to be avoided'. Wikipedia confirms that the CVT and the manual gearboxes were fitted depending on the year.
- High severityFrequency: CommonMINI Cooper R56Noise and premature wear of the manual gearbox and clutchIt is the most frequently cited non-engine fault of the Cooper R56: the manual gearbox can become noisy, whine or be hard to get into gear through wear of the bearings and synchromesh, sometimes with an oil leak; the clutch and, on diesels, the dual-mass flywheel also wear out early.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Countryman R60Premature wear of the clutch and flywheelThis is the most cited non-engine fault on the Countryman R60: according to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the clutch and flywheel wear out from around 22,000 km. Wikipedia notes that Mini changed the clutch material and the software in November 2012.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 D-4DPremature clutch and dual-mass flywheel wearThe 1.4 D-4D's clutch is frequently documented, almost always above 84,000 km, although there is the odd clearly premature case (a Yaris with the clutch replaced at 28,000 km); the dual-mass flywheel also fails, with proportionally more weight on the MINI One D.Appears at around 84,000 km
In Cooper R50

By MINI model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

1.4 D-4D1 fault

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the clutch do MINI cars have?

Which MINI models have the most problems with the clutch?

MINI Cooper R50 (2 faults), MINI Cooper R56 (1 fault) and MINI Countryman R60 (1 fault).

Which MINI engines have faults with the clutch?

1.4 D-4D (1 fault).