An intermittent connection will also trigger the dash indicator. I had that issue on my 2008 Clubman-S. One of the front fog lights developed an intermittent connection and would trigger the indicator. When I would stop to check for the faulty bulb - it would start working again.

Check the owners manual carefully - I seem to recall more than one 'bulb out' indicator symbol and they each look very close to the same. It will give a clue as to the type of bulb it thinks is out. Check all of them carefully.

You have eliminated the bulb of the rear fog light with the swap that you have already performed. It is likely another bulb with an intermittent issue.

Thanks for the update ... I do not have a switch for rear fog lamp.  

What really is happening is I am getting the indicator that a bulb is out and this is the only light that does not come on so I assume this is the light triggering the indicator.

Forgive my slight denseness, but I just realized that is NOT a third brake light. The red section of the light is in fact the "Rear Fog Light".

It will only come on if the running lights or headlights are on AND you have the Rear Fog Light switch to turn that particular light on. On most of the MINIs, the front fog lights are on one switch and the rear is on another.

Your third brake light will be up high - at the roof line above the rear window. Low in the bumper with the reverse lights is the rear fog light.

My car is no longer under warranty cause I have over 50k miles on it.  Do you know the part name/number? I cannot find it anywhere.

Since you have confirmed it is not the bulb, it is either the socket or wiring. With your car being a 2011, it may likely still be covered by the warranty - check with your nearest MINI dealer.

If not, you may be able to use a multi-meter or test light to see if the power is reaching the socket (checks the wiring). NOTE: The car uses 'pwm' technology to be able to give the 'bulb-out' alerts on the dash. this means the car's computer always sends a very small amount of voltage/current to the light in very brief pulses (not strong enough to light the bulb). It reads the line current to tell if the bulb is there - no current=dead bulb=dash warning. If you use a known good test light attached to the connector for the socket, you will be able to determine if the full power is reaching that point - which if working will indicate the problem is in the socket.

Hello all,

I have a 2011 Mini Cooper Hardtop and the brake/reverse light that is in the bumper is not working.  Well, the brake light in the middle does not work, but the reverse lights do work.  I pull out the buld that is in the brake light socket and place it in the reverse light socket and vice versa and the reverse light works with the "non" working buld, and the brake light that was working in the reverse socket does not work in the brake socket.

Has anyone else run into this issue? can someone please help or let me know what the name of this piece is? I cannot find it on any websites.