16 replies to this topic

[nickb]

Hi All,

I’ve gone seriously down a rabbit hole over the last few weeks so looking for any advice and guidance.

I used to own a mini c10 yrs ago but had to sell it before our daughter was born. Being a new dad was expensive.

Now I am in a position where I can dip my toe back in and have been looking at imports.

This one is very close to me and hoping to take a look at it in person over the next few days.

https://www.ebay.co....1kAAOSwWJVilQ~-

Any views/ opinions most welcome.

Cheers.

[nickb]

This is also nearby:

https://www.ebay.co....HwAAOSwzmJii~bo

Thanks in advance!

[some1158]

Japanese cars are often reputed to be in better condition than UK cars of the same age, due to lack of road salt use there plus their strict 'MOT' regime. That said, I'd still check everything very carefully. The 'Tartan' looks good - a wee bit different from the UK Sidewalk model (and perhaps more distinctive than a Cooper!)

[beardylondon]

Re: the red one, you have probably noticed it’s running 13inch wheels, some discussion on here recently, perhaps not as nice to drive at 10s or 12s. I note there’s a spare set of wheel, maybe they are the original 12s, the seller doesn’t say.

Also the seller states the registration number is the original, this is incorrect. At some point it’s had a older registration number transferred on to it. Also as it a 1997 car, it is illegal to display black and white plates, unless first use was before 1 Jan 1980. This car even failed an MOT in 2017 for incorrect number plates!

Edited by beardylondon, 31 May 2022 - 06:15 PM.

[mab01uk]

As a bonus with later Japanese Minis you usually get factory fitted air-conditioning as standard but check it is working and blows cold.

Some of the Air Con spares like the compressor are still available or remanfactured from Somerford Mini.

The extra air con components do make underbonnet access more difficult but worst case the system can be removed if beyond repair and the good parts sold off as spares.

https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/

 

Edited by mab01uk, 31 May 2022 - 06:58 PM.

[nickb]

Some amazing advice - thank you so much. The point made about the Cooper number plate is a concern!!

[beardylondon]

It’s not a concern as such, people transfer old registrations to newer cars all the time. The colour of the plates can obviously easily be changed too.

The only question is, why he thinks it’s “the original” registration number, however they could be purely be misinformed.

Some amazing advice - thank you so much. The point made about the Cooper number plate is a concern!!

[nickb]

Thank you. I have asked the question of the seller.

[nickb]

Response on the Cooper is “They’re 13” deep dish. The reg number is it’s original one, the black plates are technically illegal as it’s not old enough to have that style. Never had any issues using them and I have the normal white & yellow ones for MOT time.”

[nickb]

Re: the red one, you have probably noticed it’s running 13inch wheels, some discussion on here recently, perhaps not as nice to drive at 10s or 12s. I note there’s a spare set of wheel, maybe they are the original 12s, the seller doesn’t say.

Also the seller states the registration number is the original, this is incorrect. At some point it’s had a older registration number transferred on to it. Also as it a 1997 car, it is illegal to display black and white plates, unless first use was before 1 Jan 1980. This car even failed an MOT in 2017 for incorrect number plates!

How do you know the reg isn’t original? Sorry if that’s obvious!

[sonscar]

A1997 car would most likely been R111AAA or such.As this was imported it may have been given a personal plate at first UKregistration,so it could be its original UK reg.Just a guess,Steve..

[beardylondon]

As Steve says yes it should be R reg for 97, which he correctly detailed Rxxx xxx

Even if it was was given that reg after being imported, it would have first have been given an age related R reg first by DVLA, then have a private plate transferred, days or weeks later. So the word Original is misleading, as the DVLA would not have assigned that reg at import, unless it was was a mistake, unlikely for the DVLA to give away a 3 letter, 3 number ageless reg on a 1997 vehicle.

Re: the red one, you have probably noticed it’s running 13inch wheels, some discussion on here recently, perhaps not as nice to drive at 10s or 12s. I note there’s a spare set of wheel, maybe they are the original 12s, the seller doesn’t say.

Also the seller states the registration number is the original, this is incorrect. At some point it’s had a older registration number transferred on to it. Also as it a 1997 car, it is illegal to display black and white plates, unless first use was before 1 Jan 1980. This car even failed an MOT in 2017 for incorrect number plates!

How do you know the reg isn’t original? Sorry if that’s obvious!

Edited by beardylondon, 31 May 2022 - 09:52 PM.

[beardylondon]

Run a vehicle check, I would if I were serious about buying a car, I’m sure you’ll see it’s a had a plate change.

Well if he owned the vehicle in 2017, when it failed the MOT for incorrect number plates, he’s lying, see below from MOT database, failing an MOT is a problem!

Response on the Cooper is “They’re 13” deep dish. The reg number is it’s original one, the black plates are technically illegal as it’s not old enough to have that style. Never had any issues using them and I have the normal white & yellow ones for MOT time.”

Edited by beardylondon, 31 May 2022 - 10:02 PM.

[Homersimpson]

Although its unlikely its possible that the registration number is the original one as you can have a private plate put on a vehicle when its first registered.  When doing that it wouldn't have an age related plate and would just start with whatever plate you have it registered on.

 

Either way though its not really of any relevance as long as the car is registered as the correct year and not that someone has used a MK1 log book on a later car.

[nickb]

Have given the Mini Cooper a hard pass - the more I ask re the plate the less comfortable I got with the responses.

BUT - I am seeing the Mini Tartan I linked on Friday morning.

https://www.ebay.co....HwAAOSwzmJii~bo

I’ve found a fair bit on YouTube, but if anyone knows any more about this model then please do share.

Thanks again!