Car is 2 weeks old today. I just noticed this. I suppose the entire trim needs to be replaced. Thoughts on what could have caused this? If it was there at delivery and I didn't notice, I'd be very surprised.

Faulty install?

Can't say I've ever seen roof gutter trim do that.

Take it to the dealer and have an honest discussion about it.

Is your car new or pre-owned. New, bad assembly, pre-owned, anybody's guess.

It's New. 2017 Delivered 8/21.

Built at 4PM on a Friday in Oxford, maybe?

It almost looks like someone used your car to find the mounting points for the Yakima roof rack clips and damaged the trim. Hidden behind the gutter trim are some cutouts for the clips. I'm not sure how to explain this clearly, but look at how the Yakima racks are mounted to the car.

Look here: For the MINI the Q clips (black piece in the photo) mount behind the gutter trim.

https://www.rackattack.com/base-roof...ima-q128-clip/

Actually 5/18/17. A Thursday. Thanks for the help BTW.

I'm not sure what happened, but I anticipate the dealer will not be eager to replace it. How difficult is the process ? It looks like the entire piece of trim would need to be replaced.

Dealers are never eager to do anything that might potentially cost them money. Doesn't matter how difficult it is, it's their responsibility to make it right. It's a new car! If you don't get satisfaction from the dealer, kick it up to Mini USA. Just be polite and keep explaining to them that it's their job to make you happy with your new car.