Am I crazy to buy this MINI Clubman Cooper D?

I'm thinking of buying a MINI Clubman Cooper Diesel with about 83,000 miles on the clock. Am I crazy?!! Is there anything I should be alert to or questions I should ask? The only obvious problem is a sort of blistering on the alloys. Would this indicate any misuse? Also is there an issue with timing belt/chain? It's a UK import. Thank you

Mary Flannery (Sligo)

Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Mary,

First off, no you're not crazy. The Clubman is a terrific little car and I actually own one myself. It's more practical than you might think and much more distinctive and different than the standard MINI Hatch. Secondly, on the alloys - blistering could mean that the paint finish is peeling off or that the metal underneath is starting to corrode. It may be that you could simply sand down the bubbles and have the wheels resprayed, or you may need to budget for some replacement wheels.

The only major mechanical issue is a recurrent gearbox problem that can lead to failure and replacement. As long as it shifts gear cleanly, you should be OK. Don't worry if the shift feels heavy, as they are supposed to feel like that. 

Other problems are persistent interior rattles, issues with the stop-start system and a windscreen that seems to be peculiarly prone to cracks and chips. No issues with the timing belt as long as the service history is up to date.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe