Buy Mini Cooper Countryman Tail Light Assembly

Quick Facts

The Mini Cooper Countryman tail light-also called the rear lamp, rear light cluster, stop light, or brake-light assembly-sits on both corners of the hatch and lets drivers behind you see when you brake, turn, or back up. On every Countryman, both lamps house the stop, turn-signal, parking, and reverse functions in one sealed unit. Early models use serviceable bulbs, while later years switch to full LED modules with the Union Jack signature. A working tail light is required by law and is a key part of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which covers lamp brightness, color, and position (eCFR).

Fitment Years

• R60 generation (2011-2016) - Large oval lamp with chrome trim; uses P21W/1156 bulbs for brake and turn signals (AUXITO).
• F60 generation (2017-2020) - Rectangular lamp with inner LED bar; some trims still use replaceable bulbs.
• F60 LCI facelift (2021-present) - Standard LED Union Jack tail lamps with built-in sequential turn signals (Car and Driver, AutoTrader.ca).
  Tail lights are side-specific, so part numbers differ for left and right. An example R60 right-side OEM number is 63 21 9 808 152 (eBay).

Design & Features

• Housing & Lens - UV-stable polycarbonate lens bonded to a molded ABS shell. A rubber gasket seals the edge against the body.
• Lighting Tech - R60 uses incandescent bulbs; F60 adds LED running stripes, while 2021+ LCI models get full LED matrices forming half a Union Jack on each side (Carscoops).
• Electrical Connector - A 6-pin plug carries ground, tail, brake, turn, and reverse signals. Wiring colors are documented by owners in community guides (Reddit).
• Smart Monitoring - The body control module watches bulb resistance. Aftermarket LED bulbs may trigger an error unless resistors or coding are used (Mini F56).

Safety Rules

U.S. vehicles must meet FMVSS 108, which sets:

• Color - Brake lights must glow red; reverse lights must be white.
• Brightness - Lamps must reach specific candela outputs so drivers up to 300 ft away can see them (eCFR).
  Failure to comply can lead to recalls. In 2017 BMW re-programmed 16,883 Mini vehicles because the brake lamps went dark when turn signals were active (RepairPal.com, RepairPal.com). Owners can check open campaigns with the free VIN lookup on the NHTSA site (Mini USA).

Common Problems

• Condensation or Moisture - A faulty vent or gasket lets water fog the lens. BMW's bulletin advises waiting 24 hours for mild fog to clear, then replacing any lamp that still holds water (Mini2, NHTSA).
• Cracked Mounts - Some 2014-2018 lamps can develop stress cracks near the mounting studs; BMW issued a service action to inspect and replace if needed (NHTSA).
• Bulb Burn-Out - Incandescent P21W bulbs typically last 3-5 years. LEDs usually last the life of the vehicle but can fail if moisture enters.
• Software Logic Faults - A 2017 campaign re-coded control units so brake lamps stay lit while turn indicators flash (NHTSA).

Replacement Steps

1. Open hatch and release trim cap - Pry the small cover beside the lamp to reveal two Torx screws (YouTube, YouTube).
2. Remove screws - Use a T20 driver; keep screws safe.
3. Slide lamp outward - Gently pull rearward to release body clips.
4. Unplug 6-pin harness - Depress latch, then pull straight out.
5. Swap bulbs or install new assembly - Do not touch glass bulbs with bare hands.
6. Reverse steps to refit - Test all functions before closing trim.
   DIY time: about 10 minutes per side.

Maintenance Tips

• Check tail lights at every fuel stop-use a mirror or have a friend depress the brake.
• Clean lenses with mild car-wash soap; avoid harsh solvents that cloud plastic.
• Seal tiny cracks with clear epoxy to delay water intrusion.
• Use long-life P21W bulbs or CANbus-ready LED bulbs to cut current draw and heat (AUXITO).

Upgrade Options

• Union Jack Retrofit - Plug-and-play LED units are offered for 2017-2020 models; most require no coding (Vland Shop, FUNFOB).
• Smoked or Clear Lenses - Aftermarket housings tint the lens for a sporty look; check local laws first.
• Sequential Indicators - Some kits add dynamic amber turn signals (YouTube).
  Remember: any modification must still emit legal red, amber, and white colors.

Part Numbers

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Eco Notes

LED lamps draw up to 70 % less power than filament bulbs and generate far less heat, which extends wiring life. Because LEDs are sealed, the entire module is recycled at end-of-life; most housings are marked with plastic-type codes to simplify sorting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Mini Countryman models use LED tail lights?
A: All 2021-present (facelift) F60 SUVs ship with full LED Union Jack rear lamps. Earlier F60s have partial LEDs, while 2011-2016 R60s use bulbs (Car and Driver).

Q: What bulb size does my 2014 Countryman need?
A: Both outer and inner brake/turn circuits take a P21W (1156) single-filament bulb (AUXITO).

Q: Can I drive with a cracked tail lamp?
A: You can, but you risk water damage and a ticket for "inoperative tail lamp." Replace the unit as soon as possible for safety and compliance.

Q: Why do my lamps fog up after rain?
A: A small amount of condensation can be normal. If moisture remains after 24 hours at room temperature, the vent or seal is likely compromised and the assembly should be replaced (NHTSA).

Q: Do I need to re-code the car after swapping a lamp?
A: No coding is needed for direct OEM replacements. Some aftermarket LED kits may require a quick software tweak or resistors to clear bulb-out warnings (Mini F56).

Q: Will Union Jack lights fit my 2018 F60?
A: Yes. Plug-and-play kits are marketed for 2017-2020 models and take under 20 minutes to install (Vland Shop, FUNFOB).

Q: Are smoked lenses legal?
A: Laws vary by state. FMVSS 108 demands minimum brightness; tints that cut output can be ticketed (eCFR).

Q: How do I check for tail-light recalls?
A: Enter your 17-digit VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup page to see open campaigns (Mini USA).

Q: My brake lights cut out when signaling-what's wrong?
A: A 2017 software fault caused that issue. Dealers re-programmed affected cars free of charge (RepairPal.com, RepairPal.com).

Q: Can I replace one side only?
A: Yes, but fading or color differences may show between old and new lamps. Replacing both sides keeps light output and tint uniform.

Q: Where is the fuse for the rear lights?
A: On most R60s and F60s, the tail-lamp fuse is slot F46 (50 A) in the rear fuse panel. Consult your owner's manual for exact locations.

Q: What tools do I need for a bulb swap?
A: A plastic trim pry tool, T20 Torx driver, and clean gloves are enough for most jobs (YouTube, YouTube).

Q: Are aftermarket sequential LEDs plug-and-play?
A: Many modern kits are. Look for products that include built-in resistors and OEM-style connectors to avoid warnings (YouTube).

Q: How long do LED tail lights last?
A: Quality LEDs can exceed 30,000 hours-often outlasting the vehicle-so long as moisture or impact does not damage the board.

Q: What torque should I use on the mounting screws?
A: Tighten each Torx screw to about 2 N·m (hand-snug). Over-tightening can crack the plastic mounts (NHTSA).

Q: Is there a left-hand-drive vs right-hand-drive difference?
A: No; tail lights are identical for both markets. Only headlamps change beam pattern between LHD and RHD cars.