2009 MINI 1.4L Petrol · FV59 HNE

The vehicle holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 29 May 2026 at 94,897 miles, following a failure the previous day. The maintenance trend presents a mixed picture. The tester flagged a binding nearside rear service brake and perishing on both the offside front and nearside rear tyres during the pass, indicating that while the car met the minimum standard, basic upkeep was not fully addressed before the test. The prior failure on 28 May 2026 at 94,891 miles for an inoperative engine MIL and ineffective wiper suggests the previous owner corrected the dashboard fault and wiper assembly but left the tyre deterioration and minor brake drag unresolved. At roughly 5,582 miles per year, the annual mileage is notably low for a 2009 vehicle. The record shows a gap of over a year between June 2024 and May 2026, during which the car covered only 6,743 miles. This pattern points to light, intermittent use or long periods of standing, which aligns with the perishing tyre advisories. Rubber components degrade with age and lack of use as much as mileage, and the cracking observed in May 2026 is consistent with a car that has sat idle for extended periods. A buyer should inspect the underside carefully. The June 2023 test noted a rusty front subframe and lower arms, and the June 2024 test recorded underseal applied to the underbody and suspension. Underseal can trap moisture against metal, so its presence does not guarantee structural integrity. A physical inspection should check the front subframe, lower suspension arms, and brake lines for advanced corrosion or perforation. The nearside rear brake binding also warrants investigation. A sticking caliper or seized handbrake cable could be causing uneven disc wear and reduced fuel efficiency. Have a technician measure disc thickness and check caliper slide pins and piston retraction on that corner. The tyre condition is a straightforward concern. Perishing and cracking on the offside front and nearside rear indicate aged rubber that may fail under load or at speed, regardless of remaining tread depth. Both tyres should be replaced immediately if the cracking extends to the sidewall cords. The engine MIL fault that triggered the May 2026 failure was rectified for the retest, but a buyer should carry out a full OBD scan to confirm no stored codes and verify that all readiness monitors are complete, ruling out a recently cleared fault that could return.