Advice on Mini 06 purchase

cjx

Im looking for my sons first car and insurance on a mini is coming in quite decent. We've seen this one near us


2006 Blue MINI HATCH 1.6 One 3dr for sale for £1895 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

and would just like a bit of advice from any owners or someone who knows about them.
Any faults to look for etc.
Are they reliable?

mjn

From what i remember, something about the power steering pumps, can be expensive fix.

Inked

Check the power steering as the pumps are known to fail.

Ours did, it would intermittently cut out (54 plate) and it is almost impossible to drive when it goes

Edit: beaten to it!

IronGiant

Let me down gently, what is quite decent insurance?

cjx

He's 17 and passed his test yesterday  
It's £380 up front and then £68 for 11 months. Think that's really good.

cjx

Thanks for that you two. Really good info.

IronGiant

Ouch.  Thanks though.

car-man

Make sure the front suspension lower arm rear bushes are in good condition or that they have been replaced...It's an mot failure and a common fault.
To replace these bushes involves removing the whole front subframe and the cost is astronomic as you have at least a day and a half labour to pay for.

Check the front of the engine for a small metal pipe being rusty where it curves under the engine...this rots and pours out coolant leading to head gasket failure.
Check for noises around the driver's side of the engine when it's running...rattles mean the timing chain needs replacing.
Check the brakes are in good condition as they can be expensive to replace.

cjx

Thanks for that, some really good advice.

cjx

Yeah is it's not good but Compared to a corsa £480 up front and £110 a month it's quite decent . Went through it with my eldest and once you get the first year out of way it's not too bad as long as they don't do anything daft