I'm looking to buy a used Mini Countryman. Looking for 3rd gen, 2014-2019.

In the last 10 years, I've had 3 different cars have brake failure due to a metal brake line rusting out and breaking. I can do the work to replace the lines myself, but I'm really not wanting to have to do this again.

If a mini is up on a lift, can you see the metal lines, or are they covered up by shielding? If it's possible, I want to inspect the brake lines before I buy.

Do any of you know if the metal brake lines in Minis in that year range are steel, or another material? Like Nicopp for instance.

 

I don't know what material the lines are made of.

I can say that I live in Connecticut, and have yet to see or hear of a MINI with brake line failure. Curious what vehicles you've had that have had this issue, I've owned over 50 cars - most all used, and generally all 8 years old or older when I bought them - and I've never had a brake line failure.

 

Don't ever recall reading about that issue herein. BTW, you're very close to Deals Gap so don't pass up MINIs on the Dragon next spring.

 

I recently purchased an F60 Countryman. The under side of the car is pretty well buttoned up. I don't think you're going to see much without removing a bunch of panels.

 

I had this happen with a 2001 Ford Focus wagon, a 1999 Saturn SE, and a 2007 Nissan Versa, which is currently up on jack stands waiting for drier weather so I can get to work replacing the rusty brake lines.

So far, every one of them have broken at home, but I might not be that lucky if it happens again.

It sounds like it might be possible to inspect parts if the brake lines by taking off wheels, that would probably let me see quite a bit. Not sure how willing car lots would be to help with that. Maybe not at all. I wonder how well they inspect cars for safety. I'm sure that varies from one place to another.

​​​​​​​All of my cars have been considerably older than 8 years. My next door neighbor, though, has has this same issue several times, so has his adult son. Both of them, like me, do a lot of their own car repairs.