2014 Alfa Romeo Mito 0.9L Petrol · YS14 XJH

The 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo currently holds a valid MOT that passed cleanly on 24 February 2026 at 78,545 miles with zero defects. That result is significant because it followed a failure just one week earlier on 17 February 2026 at 78,506 miles, where the tester flagged an insecure offside front track rod end ball joint dust cover and serious fluid leaks from both front shock absorbers. The fact that these defects were rectified within days and the car returned for a pass suggests the immediate issues have been addressed, but the pattern of failure and rapid repair raises questions about whether the underlying components were properly replaced or merely patched. The maintenance trend is therefore stable on the surface, yet the close proximity of a failure to a clean pass warrants caution. The mileage profile sits at approximately 6,545 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a twelve-year-old car. The record shows a jump of roughly 6,818 miles between the September 2023 pass at 69,549 miles and the September 2024 failure at 76,345 miles, followed by a slower accumulation of just 2,198 miles over the subsequent five months to the February 2026 tests. This uneven pattern could indicate a period of heavier use followed by lighter driving or a spell standing idle. The gap between the 2023 and 2024 tests is a full twelve months, which is standard, but the 2025 pass at 76,367 miles occurred only six months after the 2024 failure, suggesting the owner kept the car in regular use throughout. The September 2024 failure exposed several recurring themes that a buyer should examine carefully. Both the nearside front CV boot and the nearside front track rod end dust cover were compromised, allowing dirt ingress to critical joints. Combined with the exhaust leak at the flexi section and the note about underbody and suspension corrosion, this points to a car that may have spent time exposed to road salt or standing moisture without adequate underbody protection. The corroded underbody advisory is particularly worth investigating, as structural corrosion on a MiTo can affect subframe mounting points and suspension mounting areas if left untreated. A prospective buyer should inspect the front shock absorbers for any residual weeping, check the condition of both inner and outer track rod ends and CV boots for fresh deterioration, and examine the exhaust flexi pipe and surrounding joints for signs of fresh welding or replacement. The underbody should be inspected on a ramp for corrosion severity, especially around the rear beam, front subframe, and suspension wishbone mounting points. Tyre condition and brake wear should also be checked given the modest annual mileage, as low-use cars can suffer from perished rubber and seized components through disuse rather than wear.