2009 MINI 1.6L Petrol · LT59 RJJ

The most recent MOT, conducted on 10 February 2025 at 87,047 miles, passed cleanly with zero defects. This is a significant improvement over the preceding years. The maintenance trend is clearly resolving. A failed test in November 2022 at 82,183 miles revealed heavily scored and worn rear brake discs, rear pads below 1.5mm, and broken wiper blades. The very next day's retest at the same mileage passed, indicating those specific braking and wiper faults were rectified promptly. One advisory for black exhaust smoke during acceleration appeared in December 2023 at 84,080 miles but was absent from the 2025 test, suggesting a transient issue, potentially related to a sticking injector or over-fueling, has since been resolved. The mileage profile is notably low for a 2009 vehicle. Between the December 2021 test at 79,160 miles and the December 2023 test at 84,080 miles, the car covered just under 5,000 miles in two years. The final recorded jump from 84,080 miles in December 2023 to 87,047 miles in February 2025 shows a similarly modest accumulation of 2,967 miles over fourteen months. This pattern points to very light, infrequent use rather than sustained daily driving. Such low annual mileage can preserve mechanical components but carries its own risks, including potential deterioration of rubber suspension bushes, seals, and tyres from age and lack of use, rather than from wear. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on components that historically drew attention. The braking system, particularly the rear calipers and discs, warrants close examination. A binding rear caliper was the likely root cause of the heavily scored and worn discs flagged in 2022. Check for uneven pad wear and any tendency for the car to pull under braking. The front brake wear sensor, flagged as broken in both 2022 tests, should be verified as operational. Inspect all tyre dates and sidewalls for perishing, as the 2021 advisory highlighted rear tyres worn on their edges, a classic symptom of worn suspension bushes or incorrect tracking that may still be present. Finally, given the black smoke advisory in 2023, check the engine oil for fuel dilution and monitor cold-start exhaust for any signs of incomplete combustion.