Mini has announced it is to recall 235,000 cars including nearly 30,000 in the UK alone after a fault was discovered with electric water pumps that could be a fire risk.
A total of 29,868 cars in the UK are thought to fall into the affected category, which includes Cooper S and John Cooper Works models built between November 14, 2006 and January 18, 2011. German manufacturer BMW, which owns Mini, said safety tests had discovered a fault that could cause the pump to stop working and potentially cause the car to overheat.
Four cars so far have caught on fire as a result of the fault, including one in the UK. The firm said owners would receive a letter in the near future informing them of the fault and inviting them to get the pump replaced.
"The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat," the firm said in a statement. "The circuit board may smoulder, which could result in a vehicle fire.
"BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during February."
Production of the Mini has taken place at the firm's Cowley plant since 2001, and in September last year PM David Cameron drove the two millionth Mini off the production line.
In 2011 BMW revealed it was to spend £500m improving its UK Mini production facilities. In 2010 Mini was the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK, accounting for 17 per cent of national automotive production.
