I have a previously stained asphalt driveway, and was slow to notice the Mini is leaking oil.

Can't see anything from above, and can't crawl too far under the car at the moment. It's cold, night, I have no garage, or ramps.

Drip is on the passenger side.

Car has 42,000km. (26,250 miles)

Who wants to guess what the problem is?

Oil solenoid? Other?



A search shows scary tales like this one:

"tech found oil leaking from wire to oil pump solenoid valve. Necessary to replace oil pump solenoid.
Removed axle carrier and axle. Removed oil pan. Replaced oil pump solenoid valve. Revealed oil pan and reinstalled axle assembly. Topped up with 4.5 quarts of oil. Retested and found all ok this time"

Since the car did not go on the road until December 2012, it is still under the 48 month warranty. Should I expect the repair to be covered? Is it standard practice for Mini to provide a loaner vehicle in such a circumstance?

UPDATE:
It seems the leak was simply from the oil pan drain plug. The (non Mini) dealer we bought the car from re-used the crush washer when performing an oil change.