Mini engineers at the plant in Cowley will fix the 500 models already delivered to customers and modify the others which are yet to be sent out to dealers.

BBC: BMW recalls new Mini

Until a few years ago, the adjacent coastline was closed to the public for national security reasons, but that all changed in 2010 when a graceful wooden bridge was built over the plant's mini-harbour.

BBC: Cycling the Tel Aviv coast

In addition, stolen plant equipment, such as a mini road-roller and a mini excavator, were recovered, along with a stolen quad bike.

BBC: Scotland-England border

The Mini was used by workers to travel around the car plant at Longbridge in Birmingham but was dumped in the late-1970s after it was damaged.

BBC: Longbridge tunnel Mini Clubman to be auctioned