2001 MINI Cooper 1.6L Petrol · EJ51 VRO

The most recent MOT on 12 December 2025 resulted in a PASS at 155 055 miles, after a FAIL on the same day that listed numerous defects including a ineffective fuel cap, severely deteriorated front outer drive‑shaft CV boot, oil leak, corrosion on both front and rear sub‑frames, slight corrosion to the front brake hose and rear hard brake pipes, corrosion on the rear exhaust silencer and rear lower arms, a broken off‑side rear exhaust rubber bracket, excessive play in the off‑side front track‑rod end ball joint, and incorrect aim on both headlamps. Across the test history the same types of issues reappear: corrosion on sub‑frames, brake pipes, exhaust components and rear lower arms; deterioration or splitting of the CV boot; progressive play in the track‑rod end (from slight in 2023‑2024 to excessive in the 2025 fail); repeated headlamp aim mis‑adjustment; and occasional oil leaks, fuel‑cap failure, windscreen‑washer faults and items obstructing the driver’s view. These items are consistently noted, indicating a pattern of wear‑related corrosion and joint degradation rather than isolated faults. The trend shows that many of the defects are persisting or worsening over time – the CV boot moved from split/insecure to severely deteriorated, track‑rod end play increased from slight to excessive, and corrosion continues to be reported on brake pipes, sub‑frames and exhaust parts. However, the vehicle passed the latest test after the fuel cap, track‑rod end and headlamp aim were corrected, suggesting that the immediate safety‑critical items can be remedied, while the underlying corrosion and wear remain present. At 25 years old the car has accumulated about 155 000 miles, or roughly 6 200 miles per year, which is within the typical range for its age. This mileage figure does not clearly indicate unusually hard use or prolonged storage; it simply reflects age‑related wear that aligns with the observed corrosion and component degradation. For a buyer, the priority checks should be: - Inspect the front and rear sub‑frames for signs of rust or structural weakness. - Examine all brake pipes and the front brake hose for corrosion, leaks or damage. - Check the condition of the front outer drive‑shaft CV boot for cracks, tears or loss of grease.