Great Guide to Buying a Secondhand Mini or a Used Mini Cooper

Buying a Secondhand Mini is a great choice for most people.

Make sure you don’t get a lemon by following our guide below:

Standard Checklist for buying any secondhand car.

Engine

1. Is the engine rattling or making strange or weird noises when driving?
2. Check for oil or water leaks?
3. Check whether the smoke is blue or black (indicates engine wear – black is bad)
4. Is exhaust smoke light grey (water maybe leaking into engine )
5. When engine is tuned off – take the oil cap off if there is any particles
6. Check for leaks in the water hoses and look under car to see if anything is dripping onto Bodywork tyres brakes etc

Bodywork checks.

1. Do the windows and doors leak at all?
2. Examine carefully for rust on the sills and look closely at the wheel arches
3. Check the tyres are in good condition and never forget the spare wheel
4. Does the colour match on all panels on car
5. Also look for paintwork which might me scratched
6. Check in engine for signs of welding or repairs
7. Check under carpet in boot for any signs of repair

Gearbox and Brakes

1. Is gear changing smooth and the check the clutch doesn’t slip. Don’t forget the brakes – make sure they work efficiently and so not pull to one side or squeel when you brake.
2. Do any indicator lights appear on the dash when driving.
3. Does the car pull to one side when driving.
4. Are there any noises when turning corners.
5. Does the steering wheel judder at all when driving.

Genuine?

1. Is Mileage Genuine – Check Mileage on current and old MOT Certificates and of course the Service History – (best indicator of a cars genuine mileage )
2. Are the pedals or gear knob worn forthe correct mileage or are they very “too” new
3. Has the VIN number (vehicle identification number) been tampered with?
   Is the VIN on other areas of the car the same as on Documentation?
4. Check for signs of forced entry to car or changes to locks

Documentation

1. Does the seller have a current V5 (registration document) for car
2. Does V5 appear to have been tampered with and is watermark on V5
3. Is sellers name same as name on registered owner on V5
4. Check number plate on V5 is same as on car
5. Check engine number on V5 same as on car
6. Check VIN on V5 is same as car
7. Does the owner have current MOT and Insurance certificate

Lastly – make sure that you are examining the car at the owners house.  Never ever arrange to meet somewhere “neutral”.  It means there is always something suspicious.