My wife's 2009 Mini recently suffered a rear end collision. After having a certified dealer's body shop repair the damage, the hatch has never been quite the same.

Here's the deal. The hatch will close like any other Cooper (though the dampers do give more resistance than the ones on my 05 MCS). The problem is that for some reason, if you do not absolutely slam it, the sensor will say the hatch is open, even if the lights don't come on and it is actually closed.

Is there any way to adjust the sensor or whatever (I don't even know what registers open/closed status)?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Since it was recently repaired, take it back and make them fix it. The body shop is obligated to make it right after all. They certainly took a lot of money to fix it I'm sure they wouldn't question you asking them to adjust the hatch!

 

And if the body shop gives you any trouble then talk to your insurance company they pull a lot of weight with the body shop as they will not pay if the work is not done to your satisfaction.