Hello everyone! As the title says, I'm about to buy a 2012 Cooper S with almost 85K miles on it.

What should I check or be aware of before buying it?

More details:
- it's been bought and regularly serviced at the MINI dealer that is now selling it
- CarFax shows regular maintenance, no significant repair or replacement (oil and filter changed every 16-17K miles)
- single owner, personal use
- no accident/damage reported

also, I will sell this car back in 14 months, because I'm moving out of US.

Everything of the car "looks" perfect, but the amount of miles is a concern. Can you help me?

Thanks!

 

Ya, the miles is kinda high. We have a '12 MCS with about 46k miles. Has been pretty much trouble free except for a flaky VANOS solenoid which was replaced under warranty. Fortunately, the '12 MCS has the n18 engine, which you don't see much problems with timing chain, carbon buildup on the valves, etc. How much do they want for it?

You need to get a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) from someone other than the seller..

 

Oil change frequency was way too long. Rent or lease for such a short timeframe.

 

That would be enough to cause me to walk away.

 

I don't know about you, but my eyes sure bugged out at the oil change intervals.

 

Yes, the Oil change frequency is scary..

The price is good, around 12K.

But I'm starting to think that it might not be a great idea......

 

$12k sounds high to me with that mileage. These cars can be big giant lemons in any year and any mileage. I read all the consumer reviews online (over 100 individual rants and buyer bewares) before I bought mine and there is no pattern. They can all be junk from 2007 to 2012, it doesn't matter. Therefore, you're optimum strategy is actually to buy the cheapest best driving one in the best shape regardless of year or mileage. As a former professional reliability engineer, that's what I did.

 

Considering that under warranty this car was eligible for annual oil changes I wonder why that wasn't done at the dealership? My car is bugging me to do an annual oil/filter change and I just had it done in September less than 3,000 miles ago. That's a good price for a 2012, and most of those miles must have been highway miles to drive 25,000 miles a year.

 

Some people don't even know about the scheduled free oil service in the 3 year 36 miles. Also know and heard of people going to jiffy lube type places , ya I know.

They might have not reported the oil changes correctly, I quick VIN check at the MINI dealership will straighten out when it was done. If 16-17k , that's way to long and scary.

Hopefully the owner had it changed sooner in between and those are the only reported?


I would get it inspected and look at the current oil on the dipstick and get that report fro the MINI dealership, well they might not give it to you , they can tell you whats been done and any outstanding TSB or recalls.