2003 MINI 1.6L Petrol · LM03 OHS

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive care. While it passed its latest test in February 2026 at 104,734 miles, this followed a failure just one month prior. The January 2026 failure highlighted significant mechanical neglect, including a major exhaust leak in the silencer, a defective exhaust mounting, and failed emissions readings. The transition from a major failure to a pass suggests the current owner only addresses faults when legally required to pass the annual inspection. At approximately 23 years old, the recorded mileage of 104,734 miles is notably low, averaging roughly 4,500 miles per year. The data shows a consistent but slow usage pattern, with 10,000 miles covered between March 2023 and February 2026. However, low annual mileage often masks the age degradation of rubber-based components. The 2026 record notes perishing cracks on the offside rear tyre, indicating that the vehicle may sit for long periods, causing tyres to dry rot despite the low tread wear. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the suspension and braking systems due to recurring issues. The tester flagged failed ball joint dust covers on both front suspension arms in early 2026, which allows grit to score the joints and accelerates. Furthermore, the offside rear service brake was noted as binding in the February 2026, suggesting a sticking caliper or seized slider pin that requires attention. The history of uneven tyre wear across almost every test also points to persistent alignment issues or worn suspension bushes that have not been properly rectified.