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Where is the OBD port located on a 2006 Mini Cooper?

My car’s check engine light came on, and I know I’ll have to take it to my mechanic. However, my buddy has an OBD2 reader and offered to help me use it. I don’t want to look inept, but I have no idea where they can hook up the reader. Where is the OBD port on my 2006 Mini Cooper?

avatar
Jessica Gibson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That’s really nice of your friend to check things out for you! If he can
understand the car’s OBD codes
, you’ll be able to get an idea of the problem, and that definitely helps when talking to a mechanic or technician!
To find the OBD port on your 2006
Mini Cooper
, look down in the driver’s footwell on the left side. It can be a little tricky to spot, so you might have to open the driver’s door and squat down low.
To open the port, just flip open the cover and pull off the plastic connector cover. Then, plug in your friend’s OBD2 reader adaptor. Your friend will probably handle this part, but it’s useful to know how to do it yourself! They’ll run the cable over the steering wheel and plug it into a laptop.
Once you see the codes pop up, you’ll know what problem you’re dealing with, whether it’s the
check engine warning light
or a faulty
ABS speed sensor
.
If you suspect you need a major repair and your car is still new, check your
car insurance
policy to see if you’ve got
mechanical breakdown insurance
. This can be a lifesaver if you’re looking at replacing something big, like the transmission.
View full answer 
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