2015 Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4L Petrol · MT65 WKC

The 2015 Alfa Romeo Mito presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 26 July 2025 at 57,658 miles passed, but the tester flagged a deteriorating nearside front track rod end ball joint dust cover, corroded rear coil springs on both sides, a corroded exhaust back box outer skin, and front tyres worn close to the legal limit. Comparing this to the August 2024 test at 53,296 miles reveals a worsening trend in corrosion-related advisories. Rear coil spring corrosion and exhaust back box corrosion have appeared as recurring items in three of the last four annual tests, indicating these are persistent, unresolved issues rather than one-off defects. The July 2023 clean pass at 49,137 miles stands out as an anomaly, but the subsequent two tests show a clear pattern of accumulating corrosion advisories alongside minor consumable wear. The mileage profile tells an unusual story. Between the August 2024 test at 53,296 miles and the July 2025 test at 57,658 miles, the car covered 4,362 miles in roughly eleven months. Yet looking further back, only 4,159 miles were added between July 2023 and August 2024, and just 6,728 miles between August 2022 and July 2023. The annual average sits around 5,242 miles, which is low for an eleven-year-old vehicle. This suggests prolonged periods of light use or standing, which can actually accelerate certain deterioration mechanisms, particularly corrosion of underbody components, brake disc surface rust, and tyre sidewall perishing from lack of regular flexing. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the rear suspension closely. Corroded coil springs on both sides have been flagged repeatedly, and spring corrosion can progress to cracking or fracture under load, particularly on a small hatchback that may encounter uneven urban road surfaces. The exhaust back box outer skin corrosion is a recurring advisory that warrants checking for perforation or exhaust gas leaks, especially around the seams and mounting points. The nearside track rod end dust cover deterioration, noted in both 2024 and 2025, means the joint is exposed to road grit and moisture. If the ball joint itself shows play or roughness, expect a steering or suspension repair. Rear brake discs were scored in 2022, and while that advisory did not recur, low-mileage use can cause surface corrosion on discs that may not present as a formal defect but still compromises braking feel and pad contact. Tyre condition deserves attention given the repeated wear advisories. The 2025 test flagged both front tyres worn close to the legal limit, and the 2022 test noted an offside front tyre at 2.5mm with perishing. This pattern suggests the car may spend extended periods stationary, causing flat-spotting and uneven wear, or that alignment settings are marginal. A thorough check of all four tyres for sidewall cracking, uneven tread wear, and date codes is advisable. The 2024 advisory for a nail in the nearside rear tyre also raises the question of whether puncture repairs were done correctly. Overall, the car is roadworthy today, but the recurring corrosion items point to a vehicle that has not had proactive underbody or suspension maintenance, and a pre-purchase inspection focusing on structural integrity beneath the rear of the car would be a prudent step.