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
Common faults, service intervals and costs
MINI Paceman (R61)
2013–2016
4
engines covered
13
known faults
7,802
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The MINI Paceman (R61) was built from 2013 to 2016.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 13 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.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (6.2 %), lights, wipers and visibility (5.4 %), brakes (2.6 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16)
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)
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
1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)
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
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
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
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
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.4 / 1.6 VTi (EP3 / EP6, also MINI N12 / N16) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 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 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| 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 by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 7,802 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.6 % | 2.6 % | 3.5 % | 4.0 % |
| Suspension | 0.2 % | 0.9 % | 2.2 % | 3.2 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.2 % | 6.2 % | 7.7 % | 8.9 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.6 % | 5.4 % | 9.6 % | 14.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 0.5 % | 0.7 % | 1.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 1.1 % | 1.4 % | 3.8 % |
Common questions
Does the MINI Paceman (R61) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
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; 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47): chain.
What are the known problems with the MINI Paceman (R61)?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain at rear of engine (100,000–200,000 km, €1,800–3,500); 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); swirl flaps (120,000–200,000 km, €200–500). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the MINI Paceman (R61) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (6.2 %), lights, wipers and visibility (5.4 %), brakes (2.6 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used MINI Paceman (R61)?
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; rattle on cold start. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
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 Hatch (F56) 2014–2023MINI Clubman (F54) 2015–2024MINI Countryman (R60) 2010–2016MINI Clubman (R55) 2007–2014
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