Hey guys, fairly new owner here (R56 Cooper S) and having a bit of a problem. Today near the end of a 300 mile trip I got an engine light, but when I plugged in my OBD Reader it didn't give me a code. Any reasons why this would be? My theory is that it's just time for an oil change but I'm often wrong.
Any feedback is appreciated!

 

Most likely factory codes. The standard run-of-the-mill OBDII readers read the standard OBDII codes. BMW/MINI has a slew of other codes that the ECU puts out. I was just in this situation, CEL on but no codes with my Actron CP9575.

I took it into the dealer and they provided me a number of codes. Bottom line for my problem, carbon deposits requiring a lovely walnut blast and a timing chain that had shredded the plastic rails. Walnut blast - my $$$s. Timing chain work - MINI goodwill.