News surfaced yesterday (January 16, 2012) that MINI would be recalling 235,000 cars globally to deal with a faulty electric water pump. MINI GB has confirmed that 29,868 owners will be affected in the UK and it is in the process of contacting them all to have their cars seen to.

The recall follows internal investigations, which concluded that it was possible that a failure of the turbocharger's electric water pump could lead to 'smouldering' and even fire. Four fires have been reported worldwide, including one in the UK.

MINI confirmed that the recall relates only to Cooper S and John Cooper Works models (of all body styles) produced between March 2006 and January 2011.

The official statement reads: 'The turbocharged engine of the Cooper S and John Cooper Works engines is equipped with an additional water pump, which draws residual heat out of the turbocharger after the engine has been switched off, to prevent carbon build-up of the oil in the bearing. Under high operating temperatures an electro-migration can occur at the circuit board installed in the additional water pump.

'The electro-migration is caused by plastic additives in conjunction with high temperatures and can lead to a failure of the additional water pump. This can lead to smouldering and in extremely rare cases the possibility of a fire cannot be excluded.'

Although MINI will contact the affected owners, if you drive a MINI and you're unsure whether the recall relates to you just contact your local dealer. There's a list on www.mini.co.uk.

Shane O' Donoghue - 17 Jan 2012