Some sage words of advice . . . A lot of common trouble codes that can be read by even the most expensive data and code readers are often fixed by the dealer by reflashing the program firmware located within the PCM. The cost of a scan tool with this feature and a license to use it will most likely be more than your car is worth. Try the dealer or check some Mini owners forums for repair advise or a location of an independent mechanic nearer than the dealer that has the tools I mention. Good Luck!

You can also try: http://autorepair.iatn.net/

You can get cheap Chinese copies of OBD2 readers from places like Ebay for about a tenner, it's a bit hit and miss as to how good they are though. A good, genuine OBD2 reader can cost several hundred pounds or more.

Almost any local car workshop/garage will be able to read the codes on a Mini

get a good one like the Equus Innova 3160 from ebay

or Amazon

My Mini is getting up there in miles and I was wondering if anyone has a fault code reader they would recommend for when the inevitable happens? The closest Mini dealership is about three hours away so this would probably be easier for dealing with the smaller things.