2009 MINI 1.6L Petrol · RE59 KRO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history shows a trend of increasing mechanical intervention as it ages. The most recent test in February 2026 at 120,343 miles resulted in a pass following a failure just one day prior. This failure was triggered by high exhaust emissions, headlight contamination, and oil leakage from the nearside front shock absorber. While the car passed the re-test, the presence of emissions issues suggests the engine is beginning to show signs of wear or poor tuning that require close monitoring. At 17 years old, the recorded 120,343 miles represent a consistent usage pattern of approximately 7,000 miles per year. This rate is typical for a vehicle of this age, though there is a noticeable jump in usage between October 2021 and February 2024, where the car covered over 23,000 miles in a shorter window. Prior to this period, the vehicle remained relatively clean, with no defects recorded between 2013 and 2019. The recent mileage accumulation has coincided with more frequent failures regarding rubber components and braking systems. A buyer should conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension, specifically checking the nearside front shock absorber which was flagged for misting in early 2026. The history reveals a recurring issue with brake management, notably the offside rear service brake binding in 2025, which may indicate a sticking caliper or worn slider pins that need attention. Additionally, the frequent mentions of tyres worn to the limit or on edges in 2023 and 2025 suggest that previous owners only addressed consumable maintenance until an MOT failure was imminent. The steering rack should be checked for play, as an inner joint defect was noted back in 2020 and has not been explicitly cleared as then.