What to Look for When Buying a Used MINI Cooper
In the market for a used Mini Cooper? Whether you are heading to the dealer or meeting up with people with listings online it is important to inspect a Mini Cooper the right way. Take a mechanic with you if possible. Follow these steps to make sure you don’t end up with a lemon.
Inspect Interior
Inspect the upholstery thoroughly, if it’s a 2-door, get back there and make sure you can get a good look at everything. The point is to make sure you are getting your money’s worth. Any damage in the interior is enough to make sure you aren’t overpaying for a Mini if you ever do have to sell it down the road.
Inspect Exterior
This can be a tough one. It’s recommended you always try to visit during daylight hours. If that’s an issue save the shopping around for the weekends. When inspecting the exterior, if possible, take someone who knows about auto and body repair. If the Mini Cooper has been in an accident, inspect the exterior for any bad body work. Open the hood and inspect the engine and surrounding parts. Make sure there is no dirt and rust because those are causes for concern in potential repairs in the future.
Test Drive It
If you can’t test drive the Mini Cooper, then don’t buy it. This means not just driving it down a few blocks to see if it runs and if the AC gets cold enough. Take it on the freeway, and listen to the engine. If the salesman turns on the stereo while you’re driving, then politely ask to turn it off. Save the stereo testing for after the drive. You want to listen to every detail. Test the brakes and go on streets with sharp turns. This will give you an overall feel of how the car is running and if any issue is going on.
Leak Test
You can perform a quick leak test while driving. Just pull over somewhere and let the car run while you look under it to see if anything is leaking. Any unnoticed leaks can cost you a lot of money in the future. It is important to do this because the person trying to sell you the Mini won’t always tell you to do this.
These are a few simple steps that can get you a problem-free Mini Cooper. Of course, there are some things you can do on your own to make sure the used Mini is problem-free, such as reviewing its vehicle history and making sure you get the right price.
If you just bought a used Mini Cooper and need a full inspection, The Haus is a BMW and Mini service center with certified and experienced technicians in all Mini Cooper affairs.