Almost 30,000 Mini’s are set for a recall in Britain after the manufacturer BMW detected an electrical fault which can cause it’s cars to catch fire.

The German manufacturer said the recall concerns over 235,000 vehicles worldwide.

The electrical fault in question involves the cars water pump which has been failing causing the car to overheat.

Manufacturers are investigating one case in Britain where a fire has being linked to the water pump, a spokesman said. The recall relates to two Mini models – the Mini Cooper S and the Mini John Cooper Works.

Around 29,800 cars in the UK could be affected by the problem, the company said. Owners will be issued with a recall notice in the next few weeks.

However a spokesman has insisted that the vehicles remain safe to drive and there is a “very low incidence” of the fault.

BMW’s spokesman said:

In more extreme cases, it could create a heat build-up in the wiring and some smouldering, potentially it could cause a fire. We are not aware of any accidents or injuries connected with this.

The important thing is that when people receive the letter, they simply go to their dealer and get a new water pump fitted if there is a problem.

The Mini, in it’s various forms, is one of the most successful and loved cars of all time and they been around for more than 50 years.

Launched in 1959, it was dubbed as the “classless car” with its drivers ranging from factory workers to celebrities such as Ewan McGregor, Britney Spears and Rachel Stevens to name a few.

Mini, which first started at a plant in oxford, was relaunched by the car manufacturing giant BMW in 2001.