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F353 UEL

1988 Austin Mini Designer

Black Petrol 998cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jun 2027
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

1,116 mi
Last recorded1,116 miles
Recorded on16 Jun 2026
Typical for 1988 Austin Mini Designer60,618 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Austin
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF353 UEL
MakeAustin
ModelMini Designer
Year1988
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine998cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 16 Jun 2026 1,116 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2025 99,709 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2024 98,392 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2023 97,594 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Floorpan close to front subframe nearside rear mounting point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering stabilizer bar slightly distorted

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Rear Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 12 Mar 2022 96,950 miles

Nearside Front Stabiliser bar slightly distorted in shape compared to offside

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Floorpan close to front subframe rear mounting perscibed area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Foglamp intermittently operating during inspection-"tell-tale" on dash switch illuminating.

Offside Rear Tyre worn on outer tread pattern - monitor

Pass 13 Mar 2021 96,061 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 6 Mar 2021 96,061 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Mar 2020 95,579 miles

Nearside Front floor corroded

Offside Front floor corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both tyres (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 16 Feb 2019 94,522 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner bush/bearing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner wheel arch corrosion

corrosion front offside floor/wheel arch

Pass 2 Feb 2018 93,610 miles

Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint Both lowers (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Floor corrosion

Fail 27 Jan 2018 93,600 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint Both lowers (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Floor corrosion

Pass 4 Mar 2017 92,453 miles

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Fail 4 Mar 2017 92,453 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Pass 12 Mar 2016 91,257 miles

Track rod end ball joint has slight play both track rod ends (2.2.B.1f)

oil leak

slight play in both inner rack joints

Fail 12 Mar 2016 91,257 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Track rod end ball joint has slight play both track rod ends (2.2.B.1f)

oil leak

slight play in both inner rack joints

Pass 21 May 2015 90,161 miles
Fail 20 May 2015 90,160 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 8 Apr 2014 89,794 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

cut to offside rear tyre sidewall ,not exposing ply or cords

various weld repair patches to floor pan

Fail 4 Apr 2014 89,788 miles

Nearside Front Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

cut to offside rear tyre sidewall ,not exposing ply or cords

various weld repair patches to floor pan

Fail 19 Feb 2014 89,771 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.2.C.1h)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

corrosion hole off side front door step outside prescibed area

off side rear and near side front wheel arches missing

various weld repair patches to boot floor pan

Pass 13 Jun 2011 86,607 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2011 86,607 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Pass 11 Jun 2010 79,823 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

offside front outer sill corroded

Fail 11 Jun 2010 79,823 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

offside front outer sill corroded

Pass 8 Jun 2009 76,583 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 8 Jun 2009 76,583 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 16 Jun 2008 70,874 miles

How Reliable is the Austin Mini Designer?

Based on 4,630 MOT tests across 537 vehicles.

63.0%
Pass Rate
841
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
537
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 473
Steering rack gaiter split 383
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 324
fog lamp not working 268
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 263
Full Austin Mini Designer reliability report

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F353 UEL is a 1988 Austin Mini Designer in Black with a 998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

Across all 1988 Austin Mini Designer models, the average MOT pass rate is 63.1% with a typical mileage of 60,618 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Austin Mini Designer fails its MOT is subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 473 recorded failures. If you're considering buying F353 UEL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Austin Mini Designer typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 38 years old, this Austin Mini Designer is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of F353 UEL?

You can check the full history of F353 UEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F353 UEL registered?

F353 UEL is a 1988 Austin Mini Designer, first registered on 22 August 1988.

Is F353 UEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for F353 UEL shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F353 UEL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on F353 UEL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.