2010 Mini, any common faults on them?

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I'm going to see a 1.6L Mini (36k on the clock) with my nephew later today with the intention of buying it.

Is there anything to watch out for on theses cars?


Sadly his 2012 Punto was pranged front end and written off a couple of weeks ago when the white stuff was all about.

By the way, does anyone know what percentage of the car's value the repairs have to cost for it to be declared a write off?
 
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Insist you hear the engine start up from cold, and listen for a slapping timing chain....it should just rustle quietly and the noise mustn't increase as you gently speed the engine up;
Look for oil in the coolant fill bottle;
Look for rust on the bottom edge of the front doors inside.
If its a diesel, remember its the PSA lump and we know what happens to them!
There's loads of models and trims around, and the price needs to reflect this.....basic models are the best buy in my opinion! This one has a low mileage so check for FSH, but it should be pretty fit if its been cared for.
John :)
 
as mentioned above listen to engine as they do use oil and have no oil warning light only pressure light so alot of cars were run with low oil which helps towards the chain issues which were more common to the s engine
also the thermastate housing is a weakness was plastic not to sure on the 2010 models

i had a clubvan with the 1.6.16v engine it sounded like a bag of spanners but had no problems with it great little van
 
Thanks Gents

I've passed on your comments.

Road testing tomorrow so best to call the garage and ask them not to warm the car so can hear it running cold.

Checked with Millers Oil and the 1.6 petrol engine can run on several grades. VW507.00 (5w30) is a universal oil which I'm told can be used in most engines as it has superior additives for sludge and wear.
 
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5 spd gearboxes, steering pumps and rusty coolant pumps to add to your list. Plus they're a pig to work on with limited access.
 
This one has a 6 speed box so perhaps more bothersome!

I noticed the cramped engine bay but at least everything looked genuine.

No spare wheel. Apparently its got run flat tyres!!
 
No, 6 speed box is said to be better. Car Mechanics magazine had a Mini as a project car and I remember thinking it looked a b@st@rd to work on.
 
Went for test drive and even with the engine warmed up, it started miss-firing.

Maybe a plug on the way out or something as simple but we're not taking the chance of potential problems!

May have a look at a couple of 1.2 Polo 4 door at a local garage this afternoon.

Thanks for the posted comments.
 
Don't want to be a wet blanket here but the Polo's aren't the vehicle they should be.....gearboxes, cylinder heads and turbos are all causing issues.
Maybe Honest John is worth a look see?
John :)
 
I generally find that new Minis are driven by cretins. Your nephew will have that to contend with. Even more so if it's a silver one.

Nozzle
 
The Mini is actually red which is the young lad's favorite colour. The massive dial in the dash center looks bizarre to me.
May call the garage in a few days to see if they've investigated the miss-fire.

The Polos' in question are 1.2 petrol, a 2010, 2012 and a 2013reg.

The search continues tomorrow.
 
I've very limited experience with the 'new' Polo but I did wrestle with one recently......3 cylinder turbo engine, no idea what size the engine was, or the age of the car either.
Anyway, it had the typical blown head gasket. Couldn't get the head away with the manifold on because of the turbo, couldn't remove the turbo to allow this until I had removed the driveshafts :eek: you get the picture!
Once the head is off, it mustn't be skimmed so my efforts were a waste of time anyway :(
As for the gearbox, I've seen the guts of one and the ball bearings have plastic carriers which call it a day around 70k. Absolutely unbelievable.....a knackered box to save a couple of quid. No thanks.
John :)
 
If that Mini has been put up for sale with a misfire, run a mile. If it was a simple fault they would have fixed it.
 
If that Mini has been put up for sale with a misfire, run a mile. If it was a simple fault they would have fixed it.

Sales fella reckoned they'd just washed it and some water had probably got in. I'd hate to think how it runs in the rainy season!
 
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The car search is at an end!

2011 Polo TDI with a CFWA engine.

65k on the clock.

Anyone know what mileage the timing belt should be done at?
 
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