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Agree with original poster. However common transfer box problems are, this is a VERY low mileage vehicle. And only just out of warranty. I would be taking MINI to task. Disparity in tread depths or not.
We have two 4wds with automatic engagement. The IX35 has had tyres rotated throughout its life as I swap to winters Nov to March. Despite this, at 4 years old it needed a new propshaft bearing (under warranty).
On our Sorrento I didn't rotate the first set of tyres, shear laziness, just replaced all four (second replacement set on front, first on back) will rotate these. Even rotating though, it's impossible to keep wear completely even all the time. The Sorrento recently had a whole new diff (different thread) under warranty due to a "minor oil leak".
The Hyundai was main dealer serviced until this year, and the Sorrento remains main dealer service. At no service has any dealer mentioned/suggested rotating tyres to ensure even wear and avoid diff problems. I appreciate its the owners responsibility to know about this, and many have 4wd they don't need, but at the very least if you are paying to maintain a main dealer service history, they really should give advice (after all they record the tyre tread depths on the service sheet!) if not offer to rotate tyres for you. This is the sort of thing that has gone out of the window in the modern glass and chrome palace dealership, which of course you have to use to maintain your warranty, whereas I bet there are lots of good rural independents used to seeing 4wds who recommend this.
Personally I would like a switch like I have seen in the Renault Kadjar for 2wd/auto/lock 4wd. Ours are both auto at all times, and can be locked in 4wd electronically, but cannot be locked in 2wd. If such a vehicle was driven locked in 2wd most of the time, it woudl avoid this sort of problem caused by uneven tyre wear, but still allow use of the 4wd in the situations in might be needeed, without unnecessary wear on the diff.
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