2021 MINI Cooper 1.5L Petrol · RJ21 ABV

A consistent pattern of front and rear tyre perishing has emerged across the 2024 and 2026 MOT tests, which is the defining mechanical theme in this MINI's roadworthiness record. The most recent assessment on 5 June 2026 returned a pass but carried advisories for slight damage, cracking, or perishing on both rear tyres, mirroring identical advisories logged on both front tyres in May 2024 alongside notes that the front pair were worn close to the legal limit and on the edge. The intervening June 2025 test passed without any defects recorded, leaving a clean year between the two tyre-focussed advisories. The recurrence of the same tyre condition across the axle positions on a relatively young car suggests that rubber degradation, rather than normal tread wear, is the primary concern, and a prospective buyer should not assume that replacing tyres once will resolve the issue permanently. With five years on the road and 31,681 miles recorded, the vehicle has accumulated approximately 6,336 miles per year, a rate that sits broadly in line with the typical annual mileage expected for a car of this age. There are no gaps in the MOT testing record that would indicate extended periods off the road, and the mileage progression between consecutive tests appears consistent with steady, moderate use. At this accumulation rate the braking system, clutch, and major drivetrain components have not been subjected to the heavy wear associated with high-mileage operation, but the tyres have still aged sufficiently to flag perishing in two separate tests, which is more commonly associated with environmental exposure or prolonged standing than with mileage alone. Given the recurring tyre perishing advisories on both axles, a physical inspection of all four tyres should be a priority before purchase, with particular attention to sidewall cracking, crazing, and any bulging that could indicate compound deterioration beyond what the MOT examiner was able to record. Check the tyre manufacturing dates stamped on the sidewalls and compare the production codes across all four wheels, as uneven ageing between tyres can point to one or more being older than the vehicle's service history suggests. On a test drive, listen for any increase in road noise that could indicate compromised tyre structure, and inspect the sidewalls closely for hairline cracks when the car is parked in good light, especially along the lower shoulder where flexing is most severe. Beyond the recorded advisories, it is worth carrying out a focused road test to confirm the broader mechanical condition, paying particular attention to the steering and suspension given the vehicle's age and the potential for MINI-specific component wear. On uneven surfaces, listen for knocking or clonking from the front suspension that could indicate worn wishbone bushes or drop links, and feel for any vibration through the steering wheel that might suggest warped brake discs or a wheel imbalance exacerbated by tyre deterioration. Brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent, with no pulling to one side under firm application, and the electronic handbrake should engage and release cleanly. Finally, confirm that all dashboard warning lamps extinguish promptly after start-up, particularly the tyre pressure monitoring system light, as a persistently illuminated TPMS warning could either mask a slow puncture from a perished tyre or indicate a sensor fault requiring diagnosis.