2003 MINI 1.6L Petrol · YJ52 PDG

The 2026‑05‑14 MOT at 130,278 miles recorded a pass with no defects, indicating that the vehicle currently meets the minimum roadworthiness standards. The maintenance record shows a stable trend, as the most recent test resolved earlier failures concerning oil leaks, suspension leaks and wheel bearing play that were documented in the 2025‑04‑11 failure. Over the 23‑year lifespan the mileage has accumulated at roughly 5,664 miles per year, which is low for the age and suggests periods of limited use or extended standing. The jump from 126,954 miles on 2025‑04‑11 to 130,278 miles on 2026‑05‑14 represents an increase of 3,324 miles in just over a year, a faster rate than the average annual mileage and indicative of recent, more intensive use. Recurring faults point to a need for close inspection of the front suspension, where the 2025‑04‑11 test flagged a serious fluid leak from the near‑side front shock absorber and excessive play in the off‑side front wheel bearing, while earlier entries (2021‑03‑24, 2022‑03‑28) recorded worn suspension arm bushes and rear bush corrosion. Persistent oil‑leak entries (2020‑2026) and repeated warnings about worn brake discs and pitted brake hoses (2021‑2024) indicate that consumable wear is ongoing, and the rear upper coil spring showed corrosion in the 2018‑10‑10 test. A buyer should therefore verify the condition of the front shock absorber and wheel bearings, check for any fresh fluid leaks, assess the wear on brake discs, pads and hoses, and inspect the chassis for the rear coil spring corrosion and any structural rust that could affect integrity. Confirming that the recent MOT addressed all previous defects and that the vehicle’s low mileage has not masked underlying mechanical wear will be essential for determining true roadworthiness.