2020 BMW 118 1.5L Petrol · LR70 KAJ

The defining mechanical story of this 2020 BMW 118 is centred entirely on its tyres. Three of the four recorded MOT tests contain tyre-related entries, including two front-tyre perishing advisories in September 2024 and a dangerous tread-depth failure on the nearside front tyre just five days before the car ultimately passed on 13 August 2026. The fact that the dangerous defect was identified and rectified within the same week demonstrates a prompt response to the failure, but the repetition of sidewall cracking on both front outer tyres a full year prior to that event suggests the rubber was already ageing prematurely. The 2024 test also produced a nearside rear cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords, alongside a nail-in-tyre advisory, indicating that multiple tyres were being damaged or worn within a short window. Beyond these tyre issues, the only other recorded item is a minor windscreen wiper smearing on the nearside front blade, leaving the braking, suspension, exhaust, and structural elements of the car with no recorded advisories or failures at all. Against a six-year age, the recorded mileage of 22,071 miles equates to roughly 3,678 miles annually, which is well below the typical accumulation rate for a premium hatchback of this class. Such low annual usage reduces wear on major mechanical assemblies including brake discs, pads, clutch or transmission internals, and engine oil consumption, but it does place greater demand on items that degrade through age rather than use. Rubber components such as tyres, drive belts, coolant hoses, and suspension bushes are particularly susceptible to perishing and hardening when a vehicle is used predominantly for short journeys, and the early appearance of sidewall cracking on both front tyres in 2024 is consistent with this age-related deterioration pattern. There are no multi-year gaps between tests that would suggest prolonged standing, as the vehicle has been presented annually since its first MOT eligibility, although mileage consistency between tests cannot be verified from the data provided. For a prospective buyer, the priority is a close physical inspection of all four tyres, not merely a visual check of tread depth. Examine the sidewalls for cracks, blistering, or scuff damage, particularly on the front pair, and verify that any replacements match the vehicle's required load index and speed rating, as mismatched tyres can affect ABS and traction control behaviour. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn bushes or droplinks given the low mileage and limited recorded evidence of suspension condition. Check that the steering remains centred with no pulling to either side under braking, and that the brake pedal feels firm without sponginess, as there is no MOT history confirming the state of the brake pipes, discs, or calliper slide pins. Finally, with the wiper blade having previously been flagged for smearing, confirm that both front wipers clear the screen cleanly in wet conditions, and inspect all exterior and interior rubber seals for signs of perishing given the pattern of premature tyre ageing already documented.