Timing chain at rear of engine
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whirring or rattle from gearbox end at idle
Fix: Act immediately: gearbox-out repair
€1,800–3,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
MINI Clubman (R55)
2007–2014
4
engines covered
16
known faults
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The MINI Clubman (R55) was built from 2007 to 2014.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 16 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain at rear of engine: it usually appears at 100,000–200,000 km and costs €1,800–3,500 to fix.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / BMW LL-04 · ~4.25 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.6 THP (EP6 turbo, also MINI Cooper S) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / BMW LL-04 · ~4.25 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.5 / 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)
Swirl flaps
usually 120,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Can break off into the engine
Fix: Replace or blank off
€200–500
EGR cooler / valve
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, EGR codes
Fix: Replace EGR components
€400–1,100
1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)
Timing chain stretch
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on cold start, timing codes
Fix: Replace chain, tensioner and guides
€600–1,200
Valve stem seals — oil consumption
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Blue smoke on start, oil use
Fix: Replace valve stem seals
€500–1,100
Water pump / thermostat housing leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace pump / housing
€200–500
Valvetronic (VVL) motor
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle, engine light
Fix: Replace motor
€300–700
1.6 THP (EP6 turbo, also MINI Cooper S)
Timing chain stretch
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on cold start
Fix: Replace chain kit
€700–1,400
Carbon build-up / HP fuel pump
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfires, hesitation
Fix: Clean valves, replace pump
€300–900
1.5 / 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v)
Turbo failure (oil starvation, 16v)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2004–2011 only
Signs: Whistle, blue smoke, oil loss — carbon blocks the oil feed filter
Fix: Replace turbo, oil feed pipe with filter, clean the sump
€700–1,600
Injector copper seal leak → carbon build-up
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Ticking, diesel / soot smell, carbon around injectors
Fix: Replace seals early; remove carbon
€200–900
DPF additive (Eolys) / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 'Additive level low' / DPF warning
Fix: Refill additive, clean or replace DPF
€150–1,200
EGR valve / cooler
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, power loss
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–600
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Steptronic (ZF 6HP / 8HP)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
ZF 6HP mechatronic sleeve / fluid (2001–2012)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2001–2012 only
Signs: Harsh or delayed shifts, 'transmission fault'
Fix: Fluid + pan filter change, mechatronic sleeve seal
€400–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 4,301 cars.
| age (years) | 12–14 | 15–19 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.5 % | 8.0 % |
| Suspension | 1.9 % | 2.6 % |
| Steering | 0.3 % | 0.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 17.4 % | 17.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 30.0 % | 30.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.3 % | 1.7 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.0 % | 5.6 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 26,093, of which 2 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · Petrol | 23.8 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · Diesel | 14.2 % | 2010–2012 | — | — |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · 82 kW (111 hp) · Diesel | 13.8 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · 90 kW (122 hp) · Petrol | 9.6 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.5 / 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v)1.6 (1,560 cm³) · Diesel | 8.5 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
| 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · 72 kW (98 hp) · Petrol | 7.3 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · 66 kW (90 hp) · Diesel | 6.2 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.6 THP (EP6 turbo, also MINI Cooper S)1.6 (1,598 cm³) · 135 kW (184 hp) · Petrol | 3.9 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)2.0 (1,995 cm³) · 105 kW (143 hp) · Diesel | 3.5 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)2.0 (1,995 cm³) · 82 kW (111 hp) · Diesel | 2.6 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Common questions
Does the MINI Clubman (R55) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47): chain; 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16): chain; 1.6 THP (EP6 turbo, also MINI Cooper S): chain; 1.5 / 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v): belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo.
What are the known problems with the MINI Clubman (R55)?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain at rear of engine (100,000–200,000 km, €1,800–3,500); turbo failure (oil starvation, 16v) (80,000–200,000 km, €700–1,600); timing chain stretch (80,000–150,000 km, €700–1,400); injector copper seal leak → carbon build-up (80,000–200,000 km, €200–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What should you check when buying a used MINI Clubman (R55)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: whirring or rattle from gearbox end at idle; whistle, blue smoke, oil loss — carbon blocks the oil feed filter. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Peugeot 208 I 2012–2019MINI Hatch (R56) 2006–2013Peugeot 207 2006–2014Citroën C4 II 2010–2018Citroën C3 II 2009–2016Citroën Berlingo II 2008–2018Peugeot 308 II 2013–2021Peugeot 2008 I 2013–2019
Other MINI models
MINI Countryman (R60) 2010–2016MINI Paceman (R61) 2013–2016MINI Hatch (F56) 2014–2023
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026