2021 MINI Cooper S 1.5L Hybrid electric · WS21 SHJ

The 2021 MINI Cooper S presents a clean bill of health following its most recent MOT on 14 May 2026 at 29,097 miles, where it passed with zero defects. This marks a notable improvement over the previous test just two days prior on 12 May 2026 at 29,074 miles, where the tester flagged a front windscreen washer providing insufficient liquid. That minor fault was evidently rectified immediately, suggesting attentive ownership. The broader maintenance trend is stable and improving, particularly when viewed against the 2025 test on 15 May at 23,928 miles, where both rear tyres were cited for cracking and perishing at only 3mm tread depth alongside undertrays limiting full structural inspection. The 2024 test on 10 May at 18,047 miles was entirely clean, reinforcing a pattern of consistent upkeep rather than neglect. At roughly five years old with 29,097 miles recorded, this MINI has covered approximately 5,819 miles per year, placing it well below the UK average of around 7,500 to 8,000 miles annually. The mileage progression is steady and unremarkable, with no sudden jumps or suspicious gaps between tests. The 2024 to 2025 interval added approximately 5,881 miles over twelve months, and the 2025 to 2026 interval added approximately 5,169 miles, indicating consistent but gentle use. Low annual mileage can mean reduced wear on brakes, suspension bushes, and drivetrain components, though it also raises the possibility of prolonged standing periods that could affect tyre condition and fluid degradation. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the undertrays that were fitted during the 2025 test, as these obscured a full inspection of the vehicle's underside. Removing them to check for corrosion, oil weeping from the engine or gearbox, and the condition of subframe mounting points would be prudent. The rear tyre deterioration noted in 2025 at such low mileage is worth monitoring, as perishing at 3mm suggests age-related degradation rather than wear, meaning replacement intervals may be driven by calendar age rather than tread depth alone. The suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake calipers should be inspected for binding or uneven wear, particularly given the Cooper S variant's firmer setup and the possibility of spirited driving despite the modest mileage. The immediate re-test and pass following the washer fluid fault in May 2026 is a positive indicator of responsive ownership. No recurring mechanical or structural defects appear in the record, and the absence of corrosion advisories or exhaust emissions failures across all four tests is encouraging for a performance hatchback of this age. A thorough in-person inspection of the underside, tyre dates, and brake disc condition would complete the picture, but on paper this MINI Cooper S demonstrates a well-maintained, lightly used profile with no systemic concerns.