09 Clubman non S

I am receiving an code for the 2nd O2 sensor only after a 1.5+ hours of throughway driving at 65+ MPH. This code does not appear any other time. I clear the code and it will only come back on the long throughway trip. The code is 2A74 per my Foxwell scanner. Car seems to run fine. Looked at the wiring and nothing appears loose. It is a Bosch 02 sensor and was replaced a year ago.

 

Yeah, that code means the O2 sensor is getting old and not doing its job anymore. Get a new one.

 

Is it normal for one to go bad in under a year with less than 9000 miles on it?

 

I might be tempted to check the connector to make sure its getting good contact. It is always possible to get a bad component, too

 

Update. The part was under 1 year warranty. I was able to exchange it at no cost and reinstalled it. Took a long drive (good excuse to get out for a 1+ hours). No codes. The old one did have some black soot on it when I removed it. How normal is this for the MINI? Is it running rich? This is an NGK sensor.

 

Pretty normal for inside of the exhaust to get black