2020 MINI Cooper 1.5L Petrol · WM69 ODE

A pattern of tyre-related wear and damage dominates the MOT record for this 2020 MINI Cooper, with the most recent test on 2 July 2026 passing but carrying advisories for perishing on both rear tyres. Looking back across the recorded tests, tyre condition has been a recurring theme rather than an isolated event: the January 2026 test flagged an offside front tyre worn down to 3mm on the inner edge along with rear tyre cracking, and an earlier test in January 2023 produced a failure for an offside front tyre with a cut exposing ply or cords, alongside an advisory for a nearside front tyre at 2.3mm. The January 2025 test introduced a different concern, noting front brake pads wearing thin. In total, the record shows two failures (January 2023 and January 2026) and four passes spread across roughly four years of testing, with a wheel fixing found missing on the rear at the January 2026 retest and a TPMS warning lamp illuminated, suggesting intermittent attention to tyre pressures or a sensor fault. Recorded mileage stands at 51,332 miles against an age of about six years, giving an annual accumulation of roughly 8,500 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and does not point to either extended periods off the road or unusually heavy use. The gaps between tests do not suggest long lay-ups either, as mileage progression appears consistent with regular driving. From a mechanical standpoint, this level of use is enough to produce sensible wear on consumables such as brake pads, tyres, and suspension components, but it is not the sort of mileage that typically generates serious structural or drivetrain concerns on a six-year-old MINI. The repeated inner-edge tyre wear noted on the front axle is worth flagging specifically, as it can be a symptom of suspension geometry issues such as worn wishbone bushes, top mounts, or tracking misalignment rather than simple tread wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority items on a physical inspection are the tyres and the front brake system. Both rear tyres were advised for perishing in July 2026, which on a car at this mileage suggests replacement is due imminently, and budget should account for a matching pair along with potential four-wheel alignment given the history of inner-edge wear on the front tyres. The January 2025 advisory for front brake pads wearing thin means pads will likely be approaching replacement again if not already done, and on a test drive any squeal under light braking, vibration through the pedal, or a pulling sensation to one side should be noted, as the latter could also tie into the geometry concerns suggested by the tyre wear pattern. The front brake discs should be checked for lipping and minimum thickness, as worn pads left to run against worn discs can necessitate replacement of both components together. The January 2026 failure raised two specific points that warrant verification before purchase: confirm the nearside rear wheel fixing has been correctly re-torqued and that all four studs are present and undamaged, as a missing wheel fixing is a serious safety item that should have been rectified at the time of retest, and check whether the TPMS warning has been diagnosed and resolved, as an illuminated lamp could indicate a faulty sensor, a reset requirement after tyre change, or an underlying pressure monitoring issue. The January 2026 washer jet failure is a minor item and not a structural concern. On the road, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over bumps, particularly from the wishbone and anti-roll bar link area, as MINI Coopers of this generation are known for premature wear of these components, and the inner-edge tyre wear pattern recorded could be an early indicator of such wear. Finally, inspect the underside for any signs of corrosion on subframe and suspension mounting points, as the under trays noted in the most recent test will need to be removed for a proper inspection.