2015 MINI Cooper 1.5L Petrol · YW15 AAX

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding mechanical wear and consumable neglect. While the most recent test in February 2026 at 75,345 miles flagged play in the nearside steering rack inner joints and a perishing nearside rear tyre, these represent a progression from similar issues first noted in February 2025. The persistence of steering rack defects suggests that mechanical components are not being proactively replaced, but merely monitored. The mileage pattern is consistent with a low-use vehicle, averaging approximately 6,850 miles per year over its eleven-year life. There is a notable gap in records between June 2018 and July 2019 where the car covered only 1,610 miles, followed by a period of steady use. However, the low annual mileage has not translated into high standards of upkeep. The vehicle consistently fails or advises on tyres worn to legal limits or showing structural damage, indicating the owner often waits for MOT failures to address maintenance needs rather than following a service intervals. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the steering system, as the repeated failures of the inner rack joints and ball joints indicate potential future costs for more expensive steering rack components. The buckled offside alloy wheel noted in 2025 and the distorted nearside inner rim from 2021 suggest a history of significant impact impacts, which may have compromised the suspension geometry or alignment. Given the recurring issues with tyre perishing and uneven wear, the current set of rubber should be checked specifically for dry rot regardless of remaining tread depth.