Jerking or juddering when accelerating on MINI: causes by model

In 4 models from MINI there are 5 documented faults that cause this symptom (jerking). The most important: clogged or seized EGR valve, dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions) and high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions.

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Documented faults, from most to least important

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

- Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonBMW N47Clogged or seized EGR valveYes, as on most diesels of its generation: the N47's EGR valve seizes or clogs with carbon, especially on cars used in town, causing an unstable idle, jerking and loss of power; it is not usually a serious fault if it is cleaned or replaced in time.Repair (garage): €400–€1,500
In Clubman R55, Cooper R56 and Countryman R60
- Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonBMW N47Dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)Yes: on manual-gearbox BMW N47s, the dual-mass flywheel can wear, especially after a lot of town mileage or driving in high gears at low revs; the typical symptoms are vibrations, a metallic rattle at idle and jerking when pulling away.Appears at around 150,000 km
In Clubman R55, Cooper R56 and Countryman R60
- Medium severityCommonFrequency: Common1.6 THPHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versionsThe high-pressure pump that feeds the direct injection of the turbo (THP) versions can fail. MINI, which uses the same block in the Cooper S, extended the warranty on this part in 2010 to 10 years or 192,000 km for 2007-2009 models in the US, without the need for a recall.
In Clubman R55, Cooper R56 and Countryman R60
- Medium severityCommonFrequency: Common1.4 D-4DInjector wear and failureYes: the common-rail injectors on the 1.4 D-4D are documented as failing on the Yaris, Auris and MINI One D, with symptoms of jerking, noise and the engine warning light on; one source describes the problem as "chronic" on the MINI One D's engine.
In Cooper R50
- Medium severityCommonFrequency: Common1.6 HDiDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 1.6 HDi EGR valve gets dirty easily, especially in town use, and causes jerking and stalling at idle. On the 8V engines the EGR cooler also fails, consuming coolant with no visible leaks.
In Cooper R56

By MINI model

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

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

Jerking in a MINI: what could it be?

Which MINI models have the most faults with this symptom?

MINI Cooper R56 (4 faults), MINI Clubman R55 (3 faults), MINI Countryman R60 (3 faults) and MINI Cooper R50 (1 fault).

Which MINI engines cause it?

BMW N47 (2 faults), 1.4 D-4D (1 fault), 1.6 HDi (1 fault) and 1.6 THP (1 fault).