Highlights

One of the final classic Mini Coopers, registered in 2000, the model's last year of production
Just 49,169 indicated miles, with historic MOT and tax-disc evidence supporting its low-mileage history
Over £10,000 documented expenditure on body panels, mechanical parts and professional body-shop work during the comprehensive glass-out, bare-shell restoration completed in 2024 — excluding the owner's own labour!
Repainted inside and out in its original Tahiti Blue with White Diamond colour scheme
Original interior trim retained wherever possible, including the original carpets; only the headlining was replaced
Restoration extensively documented with photographs and spreadsheet records
Fresh MOT to 1st September 2027 with 2 minor advisories - all advisories from the 2025 MOT addressed
Original 2000 Rover Mini sales brochure included

The Appeal

As one of the most recognisable and best-loved cars ever to grace British roads, the classic Mini Cooper needs little introduction. Registered in April 2000, the final year of classic Mini production, this 1,275cc Rover Mini Cooper MPI represents the very end of the line for one of British motoring's true icons.

Acquired by the current owner in January 2022 as a restoration project, the Mini subsequently underwent a comprehensive rebuild. The bodyshell was stripped and sent to a professional body shop, where corrosion was addressed and affected panels replaced before the car received a full glass-out, bare-shell rust treatment and repaint in its original Tahiti Blue and White Diamond colours, inside and out.

The underside was protected with underseal and stone-chip treatment to exposed areas. The front subframe was cleaned and painted, while the rear subframe, which the vendor describes as being in very good condition, was cleaned and repainted in situ.

Mechanically, the running gear was comprehensively recommissioned, including the brakes, clutch and suspension, while engine ancillaries and electrical systems were overhauled and/or restored as required. The engine and transmission required only light recommissioning rather than major internal work. The road wheels were professionally refurbished and fitted with new tyres all round.

Importantly, the intention was to retain the character and originality of the car rather than turn it into a modified Mini. Original components were retained and reused wherever practicable. The interior remains largely original and is described by the vendor as being in very good condition, with the original carpets retained and protected by new overmats. The headlining was replaced during the rebuild.

The restoration was finally completed in 2024 and has been extensively documented with photographs and spreadsheet records. Since completion the car has covered very few miles, principally on classic-car runs.

The result is not simply a cosmetically refreshed Mini, but a comprehensively restored and carefully recommissioned classic Rover Mini Cooper, retaining much of its originality while addressing the deterioration accumulated during its lengthy periods in storage.

The Vendor Says

“The car was supplied new by Marshall Rover, St Neots, Cambridgeshire on 28 April 2000 to a lady owner in Peterborough. It passed to its second owner on 31 August 2001 and remained in that ownership until 2019.

“The car was used regularly until 2005, then taken off the road until 2012. It was used for one further year, covering approximately 7,000 miles, before being SORN again until 2019. Original tax discs help support this history.

“The third owner acquired the car in July 2019 with a view to restoring it but found the challenge too great. It subsequently passed to a classic-car trader, from whom I acquired it on 17 January 2022 with 47,000 miles showing.

“Despite considerable research, I have been unable to uncover much more of its early history. The recorded MOT history includes a test in March 2012 at 40,092 miles. Given its lengthy periods off the road, together with the documentation I have, I believe the current indicated mileage of approximately 49,000 miles to be correct.

“When I first saw the car from the back it looked great, but closer examination revealed corrosion in the usual Mini places. Interestingly, the underside and subframes were in good shape, so the main focus became the upper bodywork together with recommissioning the mechanical components. No major engine work was required, although there was plenty to do with ancillaries, brakes, clutch and electrics.

“I bought the car partly because I wanted a project, but also because of my longstanding affection for Minis — it sometimes seems that everyone has had a Mini somewhere in their life. It soon became clear, however, that the deterioration was more extensive than I had initially realised. This wasn't going to be a quick, easy or cheap restoration.

“Much of 2022 was spent dismantling the car, resulting in cardboard boxes galore. It then went to the body shop, where I was presented with a considerable shopping list of panels. Fortunately, I had a very understanding repairer who was also up for the challenge.

“The corroded bodywork was dealt with, affected panels were replaced, and the car underwent a full glass-out, bare-shell rust treatment before being repainted inside and out in its original colours. Underseal and stone-chip protection were applied to exposed areas of the underside. I have extensive photographs documenting the various stages of the work.

“In early 2023 it came home and the rebuild began in earnest. After many months, weeks, days and hours of frustration, contortion, swearing and the inevitable setbacks, it finally came together in 2024.

“Over £10,000 was spent on the restoration, comprising approximately £5,800 on replacement body panels and mechanical parts and £4,600 on professional body-shop labour and materials. This excludes the very considerable amount of my own time spent dismantling, rebuilding and recommissioning the car!!

“Since completion it has covered very few miles, mainly on classic-car runs, and it is now ready for somebody else to enjoy.”

Key Information

Model: Rover Mini Cooper 1.3 MPI
Year: 2000
Mileage: Approximately 49,000 miles indicated; vendor believes this to be correct
Engine: 1,275cc inline four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: Four-speed manual
Country of registration: United Kingdom
MOT: Valid until 1st September 2027 with 2 minor advisories
All advisories from 2025 MOT have been addressed
Supplied new by Marshall Rover, St Neots, Cambridgeshire on 28 April 2000
Three former registered keepers according to DVLA data
Original tax discs present, supporting the car's usage and SORN history
Recorded MOT at 40,092 miles in March 2012
No early service history available
Extensive photographic and spreadsheet documentation of the restoration

The Detail

Comprehensive glass-out, bare-shell restoration completed in 2024
Over £10,000 documented expenditure on the restoration
Repainted inside and out in its original Tahiti Blue/White Diamond colour scheme
Corroded body panels replaced as part of the restoration
Underseal and stone-chip protection applied to exposed underside areas
Front subframe cleaned and painted during the shell restoration
Rear subframe described by the vendor as being in very good condition; cleaned and repainted in situ
Brakes, clutch and suspension overhauled and reinstalled
Engine ancillaries overhauled and/or restored during recommissioning
Electrical systems overhauled as part of the restoration
Engine and transmission required only light recommissioning
Road wheels professionally restored and fitted with new tyres
Original interior trim retained wherever possible
Original carpets retained and fitted with new overmats
Headlining replaced during restoration
Original parts retained and reused wherever practicable
Restoration extensively photographed and recorded
Original Rover Mini 2000 sales brochure included
Two sets of keys and two immobiliser fobs
Very few miles covered since restoration, principally on classic-car runs

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