Mini Cooper License Plate Light Bulb Size

The Mini Cooper license plate light bulb uses 2 distinct sizes: 12961 and 6418, with each bulb size corresponding to specific vehicle production specifications. The replacement chart covers data spanning from 2002 to 2024 across Mini Cooper generations.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2014-2024	12961
2002-2013	6418

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6418

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mini Cooper license plate light bulb specifications cover model years 2002-2024, with two distinct bulb types used across that span.
The 6418 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base, a 36mm length, and a 12V, 5W electrical rating. It is the specified bulb for the Mini Cooper from 2002-2013.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, also rated at 12V and 5W. It is the specified bulb for the Mini Cooper from 2014-2024.
Both bulb types share the same voltage and wattage ratings of 12V and 5W, meaning their electrical draw is identical despite their physical and base differences.
The T10 wedge base (W2.1x9.5d) used by the 12961 and the SV8.5 festoon base used by the 6418 are mechanically incompatible socket types, meaning the two bulbs are not interchangeable with each other.
The festoon format of the 6418 is a cylindrical bulb that makes contact at both ends of its body, while the T10 wedge format of the 12961 uses a tapered plastic base inserted into a wedge-style socket, reflecting a fundamental difference in mounting design.
The 6418 designation follows ANSI standardization recognized in the United States and Canada, which means equivalent bulbs from multiple manufacturers are produced to that specification.
The 12961 designation is specific to Philips, so cross-referencing to other manufacturers requires matching the T10 form factor and W2.1x9.5d base specification rather than the part number alone.