Mini is recalling 235,000 cars due to an electrical fault which can cause vehicles to burst into flames.

As many as 30,000 cars in the UK are understood to be affected.

The move follows months of complaints from drivers who claimed their cars had burst into flames, often when parked or unattended.

Others told of seeing smoke and flames under the bonnet as they sat behind the wheel.

However, manufacturer BMW had insisted that there was 'no particular problem'.

Last night though,in an unexpected statement, BMW confirmed safety officials on both sides of the Atlantic are investigating the problem.

Their inquiries centre on the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, which were built between March 2006 and January 2011.

The malfunction involves a computer circuit board which controls a turbocharger cooling system. If this system fails, the car's water pump can start to smoulder, possibly leading to a fire in the engine.

There are seven known cases in the UK but only two are under investigation by motoring watchdog VOSA. Twelve incidents are being  investigated in the U.S.

Owners will be issued with a recall notice in the next few weeks.

A Mini spokesman insisted the cars remain safe to drive and said there was a 'very low incidence' of the fault.

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

This was not the case for Karina Collins, 25, who was driving her Mini Cooper on the M4 last August when the car suddenly lost power. After managing to pull up on the hard shoulder, she realised the engine bay was on fire.

'The bonnet had popped open from all of the flames. The front was on fire, and there were flames round the doors,' said the auditor from Pontypridd, South Wales.

'I was struggling to get the seatbelt off and the doors unlocked and felt like I was stuck in there. Eventually I ran out and along the hard shoulder.

'The tyres were exploding and other bits were falling off. I left everything in the vehicle, including my computer and handbag. If there had been a child in the back - it doesn't bear thinking about.'

Mrs Collins was left so traumatised by the incident she has replaced her Mini with a Volkswagen Golf.

She said: 'I certainly wouldn't fancy driving in another Mini. I've lost trust in the brand.

'My insurance company paid out for the incident but didn't take up the incident with BMW.'

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