2006 MINI 1.6L Petrol · RM02 ALF

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding mechanical wear and deferred repairs. While the most recent test in August 2025 at 128,162 miles passed, it revealed new defects including play in the nears steering rack inner joints and a persistent oil leak. This follows a period of reactive maintenance seen in late 2024, suggesting that the owner is only addressing faults once they trigger an MOT failure rather than performing preventative care. At a recorded mileage of 128,162 miles over 20 years, the car has averaged approximately 6,400 miles per year, which is consistent with typical low-mileage usage patterns. However, the interval between September 2024 and August 2025 saw an accumulation of nearly 10,000 miles in eleven months. The failure in September 2024 at 118,717 miles due to an offside rear tyre with exposed cords indicates a period where basic safety items were neglected until they reached a critical failure point. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the braking system due to recurring corrosion on the front and rear brake pipes dating back to 2023. The fact that these pipes are covered in grease across multiple tests suggests an attempt to mask fluid leaks or simply a lack of attention to fluid line degradation. The newly flagged steering rack inner joint play in the 2025 test requires immediate attention to ensure steering precision and to prevent more expensive steeringbox component failure. The persistent oil leak noted in both 2022 and 2025 should be identified to determine if it is a minor gasket seep or a more significant internal seal failure. Given the history of worn tyres and corroded components, the state of the remaining rubber bushings and suspension arms should be verified visually. The vehicle shows a clear pattern of being driven until components are replaced only upon failure, which increases the likelihood of encountering further mechanical issues shortly after purchase.