One problem related to check engine light on has been reported for the 2005 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2005 Cooper.
On 3 different occasions after traveling a few hundred yards or so our Mini would suddenly lose power and go into a "limp mode" as we move from either a stop sign or traffic signal. This would cause the vehicle to stop in the intersection causing a potentially hazardous condition. The vehicles ses check engine light also comes on. We have taken our vehicle in for service three times to get this defect addressed. Mini states that it is a "known" problem with the current software. I now have a third version of the software, but we are afraid to drive the car to "test" it out. I hope either Mini or the NHTSA will post a recall on this dangerous condition.