The models affected - the Mini One and Mini Cooper - were produced at the firm's plant in Oxford.

BMW says there have only been "one or two" examples of the problem, which makes changing gear in the car difficult.

A BMW spokesman said: "There is just a chance that the gear selection mechanism can become slightly loosened so that drivers cannot change gear."

'No danger'

Last September 500 Minis were recalled over safety fears that static could cause a small spark near the petrol tank.

Although the risk was small, the company repaired the design fault in all the cars affected.

All Minis produced in the ten months between July 2001 and May this year will be checked.

BMW insist there is no danger to drivers and no accidents, injuries or damage have been caused by the problem.

The fault is not thought to affect the Mini Cooper "S" models.