2009 Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4L Petrol · DU59 OYN

The Alfa Romeo Mito’s most recent MOT, conducted just 11 months ago on 29 August 2025 at 100,694 miles, confirms it passed without defects after a critical failure in August 2024. The trend over the past three years reveals a vehicle that has been intermittently neglected, particularly in braking and tyre maintenance. The 2024 failure for a leaking brake pipe—paired with the 2022 advisories on worn brake discs and pads—suggests a pattern of deferred brake servicing. While the 2023 test was clean, the 2022 record highlighted corrosion on rear coil springs and nail damage in a tyre, indicating long-term exposure to moisture or poor storage. The 2024 tyre advisories, despite being non-failing, reinforce a history of inconsistent upkeep, with tread wear approaching legal limits on three tyres. The recorded mileage of 100,694 miles over 17 years—approximately 5,923 miles annually—is unusually low for a vehicle of this age, suggesting either light usage or extended periods of inactivity. The gap between the 2022 (67,076 miles) and 2023 (78,757 miles) tests spans 15 months with just 11,681 miles logged, while the 2023–2024 interval covers 11,321 miles over 13 months. This erratic accumulation, combined with the 2024 brake failure, implies the vehicle was likely driven sporadically rather than consistently. The low mileage does not necessarily mitigate wear concerns—corrosion on coil springs and brake pipe leaks suggest stagnant fluids and moisture buildup, which accelerate degradation even in low-mileage scenarios. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the hydraulic braking system, particularly the rear brake pipes and calipers, given the 2024 failure and the 2022 advisories on brake disc and pad wear. The corrosion on coil springs—noted in 2022—warries scrutiny of the entire suspension, including bushes, dampers, and subframe integrity, as rust propagation can compromise structural stability. Tyre condition remains critical; the 2024 advisories on tread depth and edge wear indicate imminent replacement, and the 2022 nail damage suggests past neglect of tyre inspection. Finally, the absence of advisories on exhaust emissions or structural corrosion in recent tests does not preclude hidden issues—an emissions test and underbody inspection for rust or fluid leaks are essential to rule out concealed problems.