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Private seller - and thanks, those are good starting points. I thought the later N18 were less prone to issues than the earlier N16 models.
Would love the little car above, but unfortunately need 5 doors and a bigger boot.
JamesQGM-
Have been looking at a cheap minis, the ones with faults and cheap enough to make money on if I do the work.
My opinion of the cam chain issues is that some vehicles missed the recall and even some recalled had the chains and cogs changed for ones that were pre update. So you would hope the n18 was sorted.
The coke build up is a thing, no idea of the cause most say wrong oil, some say fitting a catch tank for the breathers helps take the oil out of the inlet so removes coke build up.
If it hasn't been done or noted by the specialist garage then knock the price of a decoke off. Any ideas when the gearbox oil was changed? Brake fluid?
EDIT: Fuckwit in me forgot to mention that the bigger problem is the engines use oil, up to 1 litre for 4000 km is acceptable while oil changes are 10k and oil running low fucks the timing chain and lots of other bits. Part of this the internet says is cos the cars were bought on fix priced servicing contracts.
You want to hear the engine start up from cold and listen for a chain rattle.
lynx
Is this a private sale or dealer? As that is the infamous prince engine.
I'd try and find where the leak is from, does the owner know. Ask if a catch tank is fitted, and did the garage check for any coking of the inlets.
Thank BMW for the terrible timing chain tensioner design. Which caused a number of recalls and even the recalls had recalls. For both BMW and PSA.
Many second hand car dealers will not buy prince engined cars as the have had many issues with cars they have bought. Even with full PSA service history.
If you want a mini some one further up is selling his...