07 Mini

[Jd1972]

Looking at an 07 mini 58k thousand miles latest mot has following advisories - no advisories other than tyres on previous mots any good?

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Central Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))


Just looking for a cheap run around that will do my student child for a few years.

Thanks

[21TonyK]

I'd keep looking. The front arms are cheap and a bit of rust on them is probably meaningless but if the bushes they sit in are worn then its an expensive job in lterms of labour to fix.

The rear (and front) subframes are very labour intensive to replace and often leads to other bits being needed as well. Often the end of a car due to the cost. If its already an advisory then next year it could be a fail.

Loads around, my nephew just bought a 2010 Cooper D with a completely clean MOT for 900 quid.

Edited by 21TonyK on Tuesday 14th April 18:13

[Matt_T]

Can you see form the MOT history where it has been living? If it is somewhere like Scotland or in a coastal town then the rust could be a problem.

I have seen cars from the Isle of Man that are 6 years old but very very rusty underneath.

[paul_c123]

2007 is quite old now.

[Jd1972]

Thanks everyone we are in scotland so thanks for that advice - £900 for a 10 plate bargain I haven't managed to find anything like that up here we seem to have to pay more for cars than down south.

[Jd1972]

out of interest when looking for a cheap car for student - what's the thing to look out for I always look at the MOT history online and look for low mileage but what's considered low mileage basically looking for a car that is cheap to run for daughter and safe on motorway as we live in the country looking for something that will last about 3 years till she finishes uni.

[Mr Tidy]

Mrs Tidy bought a new R56 Cooper in 2006 and by 2025 it hadn't done 75K miles when it needed a new cam-chain, which cost well into 4 figures at a good Indy.

I'm pretty sure the One had the same engine just as a 1.4 litre rather than 1.6.

Although other than that she has been really pleased with it. They are great cars to throw about!

[21TonyK]

^^ This is one of the thing minis are known for but unforeseen high costs with any older car are part and parcel of it

Personally, if it was for one of my kids when they were away from home at Uni where I could not keep an eye on oil, coolant etc etc I would be tempted to go for something very, very robust and very cheap to fix.

As an idea I bought a 2010 petrol mini One 4+ years ago. 70K miles, immaculate bodywork, little underside rust anywhere. Big plus was the chain had just been done so it was priced accordingly, ISTR about 3.5K

Since then its cost about 1500 quid in garage work and tyres including a new clutch, thermostat and waterpump. Then theres been loads of routine stuff like brakes etc which I do, must isnt really necessary but id say 2-300 in part actually needed.

I get the impression (I have 2 minis now, did have 3) minis need looking after to avoid potential big bills.

[Jamescrs]

R56 Mini's can be horribly unreliable, unless you have a good Mini specialist nearby you can use i'd say avoid it.

[andy43]

Honestly worth spending (much) more and getting an Up/Mii/Citigo.
Cheapest to insure, they use almost no fuel and they don’t seem to break.