Is the Mini Countryman reliable?
The second-gen Countryman can hold its head high when it comes to reliabilty. Indeed, it is not totally free of mechanical gremlins, but it did well in What Car?'s Reliability Survey, finishing sixth out of 22 cars in the small SUV class, with an impressive 97.7% overall score.
As a brand, Mini did even better, finishing third out of 32 manufacturers, and was only beaten by Lexus and Toyota.
Engine: Crankshaft sensor failure can put the car into limp mode, limiting performance. Take the car on a decent test drive to ensure it’s running smoothly.
An oil leak or vibration from the engine could be a symptom of engine mount failure. The lower mount is typically the culprit and a new mount is the only cure.
The B47 diesel is more robust than its predecessor but still suffers from timing chain issues, where it can stretch or snap. It’s a big fix too, as the engine needs to come out to access the chain. Some diesels suffer from DPF- and EGR-related issues but these are less common.
Turbo issues aren’t unknown and the wastegate actuator is the main source of most of them.
Body: Ensure the electric tailgate opens and closes properly as the struts or actuator motor can fail, meaning it opens only halfway or, in some cases, not at all. Replacing these parts will sort it.
Sunroof: Water in the boot or footwell could be a leak from the sunroof. The drain holes can become blocked and leak water into the cabin. Check the history of the car for such an issue and have a good rummage inside for any signs of damp.
