Am I the only one that has to "firmly" close the boot to get the door-ajar instrument light to go out? I have the identical problem on my BMW X5. Thet must have used the same latching system.

 

Happens to me too...I don't get it.

 

>>Am I the only one that has to "firmly" close the boot to get the door-ajar instrument light to go out? I have the identical problem on my BMW X5. Thet must have used the same latching system.


When I first got our MINI (August 2002 build), we were having the same annoying problem with having to close the boot harder than normal to get rid of the pesky door ajar dash light.

5 weeks after taking delivery, the boot latch mechanism broke and was promptly replaced by the dealer.

As soon as the new latch was installed we immediately noticed how so much more easier and smoother the boot closing latch action was! We were impressed...no more boot slamming, no more door ajar lights either. Just a gentle push of the hatch is enough to close it properly.

Almost 3 months have passed since we got the new boot latch mechanism and haven't had any problems with it. Now the boot closes with the smooth quality of a BMW hatch mechanism.


I am not 100% if your boot latch is about to go south, but the difficulty in closing the hatch many times during the first 5 weeks of ownership, were a sure symptom that the boot latch was about to brake.


Get it replaced by your dealer. It is a very easy 30 minute job.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I just assumed it was a common fault that would recurr even in the replacement because of a poor design or something. But since you say the fix worked I'll get it in to service and get that replaced.