2012 MINI Countryman Cooper SD ALL4 2.0L Diesel · PL12 AVY

The defining story of this 2012 MINI Countryman Cooper SD ALL4 is a single concentrated episode of wear in July 2024, when the car failed its test on three fronts: significantly and obviously worn front brake discs, a nearside front tyre cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords, and a front wiper that no longer cleared the screen effectively. All three defects were rectified the same day, with the car passing immediately afterwards, and the record since has been entirely clean, with passes in July 2025 and March 2026 recording no defects or advisories whatsoever. The trend is therefore one of a mid-life maintenance catch-up followed by two consecutive unblemished tests, which suggests the braking and tyre issues were addressed properly rather than patched over. Recorded mileage stands at 106,222 miles over roughly fourteen years, an average of about 7,600 miles per year, which is entirely typical for a car of this age and type. The test dates show consistent annual use with no gaps or periods off the road, so there is no evidence of prolonged standing that might have caused seized components or deteriorated seals. This steady, moderate accumulation means wear items such as brake discs, tyres, and suspension bushes will have aged through normal use rather than neglect, and the 2024 brake disc failure is consistent with original or long-served discs finally reaching their wear limit at around the 100,000-mile mark. The recurring theme in the advisory history is tyre condition. Both rear tyres were flagged for slight cracking or perishing in 2023 and again in 2024, and the front tyre failure in 2024 was a cut reaching the cords. A buyer should establish whether all four tyres have since been replaced as a matched set, checking sidewalls closely for fresh cracking, perishing, or uneven shoulder wear, the latter potentially indicating alignment issues on this ALL4 four-wheel-drive variant. On the test drive, listen for any drone or hum that could point to uneven tyre wear or a tired wheel bearing, and confirm the car tracks straight without pulling. Given the documented front brake disc replacement, verify the work was completed to a good standard: the pedal should feel firm and progressive, with no judder through the pedal or steering wheel under braking from motorway speeds, which would indicate warped or poorly bedded discs. Check also that the front wipers, replaced after the 2024 failure, sweep cleanly without smearing or juddering. Beyond these specific items, the clean 2025 and 2026 results are encouraging, but a pre-purchase inspection should still cover the usual high-mileage diesel checkpoints, including smooth clutch and dual-mass flywheel behaviour on pull-away and any diesel knock or hesitation from the 2.0-litre engine, none of which have been flagged in the MOT record but are prudent to confirm at this mileage.