Purchasing a Mini Cooper

KatieDee

motorguy wrote: »

They are prone to head gasket failure - watch that coolant level like a hawk.

Thank you, I was aware of the head gasket failure and will keep an eye on the coolant level. What in particular should I be looking for? Is it normal for coolant level to drop at all?

I've had a look around, can't see any marks or drips. Obviously I can only see so much. Hopefully the garage will be able to tell me more.

BeenThroughItAll

KatieDee wrote: »

Thank you, I was aware of the head gasket failure and will keep an eye on the coolant level. What in particular should I be looking for? Is it normal for coolant level to drop at all?

No. Coolant level, assuming you check it under the same conditions (i.e. engine stone cold after overnight) shouldn't change at all. As an indicator, in the last five years I've done well over 150K miles in my own cars (all between 8 and 15 years old, with between 50K-197K on the clock at purchase), and not one of them has ever required a drop of coolant adding unless I've been changing it or draining it for some other reason.

motorguy

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

No. Coolant level, assuming you check it under the same conditions (i.e. engine stone cold after overnight) shouldn't change at all. As an indicator, in the last five years I've done well over 150K miles in my own cars (all between 8 and 15 years old, with between 50K-197K on the clock at purchase), and not one of them has ever required a drop of coolant adding unless I've been changing it or draining it for some other reason.

With the slight caveat that the car will find its own level within the max and min. So if Katie, as she says, has topped it up to the max level it might drop back a little and settle, however, as you say it shouldnt be "using" any water. If it is, there is a problem somewhere.

BeenThroughItAll

motorguy wrote: »

With the slight caveat that the car will find its own level within the max and min. So if Katie, as she says, has topped it up to the max level it might drop back a little and settle, however, as you say it shouldnt be "using" any water. If it is, there is a problem somewhere.

Absolutely, yes.

I would though question why, as has already been done, the coolant level and oil level were 'very low' on a car with low miles and a near-full history.

I'd also question why a garage would tell an owner not to bother with the annual service if the car's not done enough miles to warrant it. Totally shortsighted IMO.

Just as a side note to the OP - and I mean no disrespect here - there is a useful lesson to learn here in that it's advisable to check things like levels before parting with your hard-earned and driving away. Simple checks can tell quite a story.