Mini bursts into flames

[eagleswings]

I am a driving instructor and bought a new Cooper D in September 2008, the car had successfully completed 25K+ and has been serviced under a TLC package. Yesterday afternoon whist being driven at 50 down a dual carriageway the warning light 'Diesel particle filter malfunctioning' came on. Just a yellow light usually indicating that a problem has occurred that will need dealt with soon. The manual says - 'Continue your journey... use next opportunity to drive faster than 38mph for 5 mins.. ' the light went out after travelling about half a mile, but then we had to stop at traffic lights, at which point I noticed smoke coming from the back - I believed it was coming from the exhaust. I manoeuvred the car into a car park just off from the traffic lights and when we pulled up a passer-by point to flames coming from underneath the offside front of the car, within seconds the car was well alight and was destroyed within minutes.

I know there were problems with the power steering on the earlier Mini but thought that was sorted. I am particularly concerned that there could be a fault with this type of car which could result in a far worst outcome than mine. I dread to think what could have happened if we were not required to stop at the lights. Fortunately no-one was harmed.

Not sure if I will be buying another mini!

[adam_Randell]

wow!! thats quite bad...i take it you have been in touch with MINI UK??

hope your okay dude! bet it was pretty scary

[S8RAH]

That's horrific!
Hope you are OK, good job you had the foresight to pull off the road.
That is surely a vehicle fault and MINI should sort out the replacement.

[eagleswings]

Thanks for your concern. Everyone OK although a bit shocked and didn't sleep much last night, it is more the thought of what could have happened.

I have emailed Mini UK, but of course it is weekend so no one to speak to at the moment. I will post the outcome here.

[PK5]

the main thing is that everyone was fine. I am sure that your insurance company will have there investigating team to find the cause as they dont want to be out of pocket & neither do you. What ever the outcome of there findings should be sent to mini uk.

Good luck on your next purchase whatever you decide.

[johnny6]

Important thing is everyone is fine.

I'm not sure I would let a car fire put me off buying another car in that range. Most likely a vehicle specific fault rather than a fault with the Mini range in general.

If it was a consideration when purchasing a new car I doubt you would be able to buy anything as I'm sure most model ranges regardless of manufacturer have had the odd fire or two.

[george]

Wow thats a shame, hope you recoup all your losses.
Are you suggesting that the cause of the fire was the power steering pump?
Or is it to do with the car being a diezel? Would be interested to know.

George

[Silverado]

It sounds like you were giving a driving lesson at the time ? Was the learner driver OK or have you put him or her off driving for life ?

[24fan]

That's awful. Glad that you were ok and kept very calm about it And it was so lucky that you had those traffic lights, it doesn't bear thinking about what would have happened if you had driven that bit further. I'm sure it is no consolation considering you have lost your car, and I can totally see why you wouldn't want another mini. Crikey!! Hope everything goes ok with MINI UK.

[markjborg]

Woah :/ Thats awful, Glad you're ok. Hope you arrange with MINI UK. Keep us updated, I thought Diesel doesn't ignite like petrol.

[rellik666]

Totally different Power Steering System...

But OMG....glad you are ok! Blimey thats awful!

[Lawrothegreat]

Crikey, that must have been frightening. I can understand you loosing faith in the brand, but with well over 1 million new MINIs on the road, I haven't heard of many fires. One would hope if you were travelling along at speed, the wind would largely hold off the flames until you could stop. My father had a car twenty years ago that burst into flames by a petrol pump......

[eagleswings]

Quick update for everyone following this - and thanks again for all the thoughtful comments. Thankfully no long term damage to my pupil I think she will cope fine, now she realises it was nothing to do with her.

At first my insurance company weren't interested, they reckoned it was a Mini problem. Mini though did not want to touch the car until it was assessed by the insurance, so I was left phoning between the two all morning.

Have to say that Mini Customer Service have been great so far, they appreciate my problem with work, being a driving instructor and two people due to take their test on Thursday, so they have arranged for me to get a courtesy car with dual controls on Wednesday. Given that I was looking at having to fork out over £1000 a month for a contract hire car, I am delighted. (My insurance apparently does not cover the cost of a replacement car as it was not involved in an accident!)

Given Mini's response so far I will no doubt stick with this type of car. I have been delighted with it till now and most of the pupils love it. Jonny6 above is right that this does not seem to be a common problem and could probably happen to any car. I reckon that in situations like this the quality of the product is determined by the quality of the customer service and to date Mini have never let me down.

[MsMinnie]

Hi there eagleswings,

Just read through what happened with your mini, and oh my goodness!
Good you and your pupil were ok, that must have been quite a scare.

It sounds like you have been able to sort it all out, thats good, and thanks for updating.

Best regards

[Richard Crofts]

I'd have told them it was something they did just to see the look of horror on thier face

Just kidding...glad to see it went alright and you both walkked away before anything dramatic happened. Good to see MINI uk helping out...normally most folks get a bit of duff deal from them