10 replies to this topic

[Apm2025]

Hi All,

I have been offered a 1997 Mini Cooper that is rusty and needs lots of work.

It has 2 owners and done around 70k miles - been sitting in a shed since 2016 ish.

I have no mechanical experience or mini knowledge so looking for some advice on the cost to do a full restoration and any garages you would recommend?

Based in Surrey so any local options would be great.

Appreciate in advance any help!

[mab01uk]

The later MPi Minis (1996 - 2000) are often even more rusty in hidden places, than in the areas you can easily see, so without some photos and descriptions of the key problem areas it is difficult to give any advice on the potential cost. However if you have no mechanical experience, tools or Mini knowledge a full restoration by a specialist garage will likely be expensive, especially in the London/Surrey areas, so some idea of what you hope to be your overall budget would also help.

 

The Last Minis:-

https://www.thelastminis.com/

 

Edited by mab01uk, 08 December 2025 - 07:37 PM.

[stuart bowes]

to add to the above good advice, take lots and lots of pictures from all angles with the carpets removed and so on, use https://imgbb.com/ to post them here (just use for free no need to pay anything)

 

also if you have a good look through the valuations section there's quite a few threads where people have shared pictures, that'll give you a good idea of places to look for problems and also values (assuming you haven't paid anything for it yet?)

Edited by stuart bowes, 08 December 2025 - 03:57 PM.

[sonscar]

£25K ?paint £5K,engine and gearbox£7K just wheels and tyres £1K etc.Soon adds up when you are paying.Steve..

[Rubbershorts]

When I watched the attached video from Bangers and Cash I was gobsmacked at the cost. They didn't really do that much work, not for a mini anyway. You have to bear in mind it didn't even get a full respray. Seems the cost to repair are going up whilst the end value is going down. Daz.


https://youtu.be/nj0...C5L9HD-Kjn09FX1

[MatthewsDad]

From personal experience of having gone through the cost of restoring a 'rust free' 95 Cooper, I'd suggest buying one that someone else has been through the pain and cost of making good. Aim for a solid shell and have fun doing the mechanics. Good luck!

[coopertaz]

would advise getting someone from a club local to you to go see the car with, may not be too bad! or allow 40K and jump in

[evansisgreat]

From personal experience of having gone through the cost of restoring a 'rust free' 95 Cooper, I'd suggest buying one that someone else has been through the pain and cost of making good. Aim for a solid shell and have fun doing the mechanics. Good luck!

 

The amount they lost on Bangers and Cash shows this is the way to go, but finding a good one is so hard. You need to go round every panel with a magnet, I've heard of people using infrared cameras to help spot big area of filler too.

[beardylondon]

My tuppence worth...

 

Only restore the vehicle if it is of historical significance, which it doesn't sound like, or you have an emotional attachment to it, and have deep pockets and have tons of time and the enthusiasm to complete it, if not, don't bother.

 

As Mab says, that age Classic Minis are very very prone to rust, apparently they used cheap Chinese steel and Rover just threw them together. Also everything has gone up in the last 5 years, bodywork, paint, parts, you name it. And the value of Classic Minis has gone down, so it's unfortunately a loose loose situation.

 

If you want a Classic Mini, and as it sounds like with limited mechanical experience, you would be better off buying one with history, a fresh MOT and part or full restoration for £5k-£10k, and keep that one for parts, or if you end up loving them that much, keep it dry stored and restore it in the future and learn from the one you buy.

 

It's harsh, but that is a reality these days. You only have to browse ebay to see half completed projects (not just Minis) with tons of parts, to see that many projects don't get completed.

 

 

Hi All,

I have been offered a 1997 Mini Cooper that is rusty and needs lots of work.

It has 2 owners and done around 70k miles - been sitting in a shed since 2016 ish.

I have no mechanical experience or mini knowledge so looking for some advice on the cost to do a full restoration and any garages you would recommend?

Based in Surrey so any local options would be great.

Appreciate in advance any help!

Edited by beardylondon, 18 December 2025 - 04:33 PM.

[beardylondon]

delete

 

Edited by beardylondon, 18 December 2025 - 04:32 PM.

[stuart bowes]

It's definitely a commitment isnt it.  I'm 3 years in now and just about nearly finished the bodywork (Work full time, college course, kids..) I have been refurbing all the other bits as I went along though so actually as soon as it's painted the assembly will be very quick, then it's just finish off the interior and get the engine done, another year probably, so what's that, 5 years of work before I can even drive it

 

to be honest though I was more interested in doing the actual repair work than owning and driving the car itself. I will give it a good thrashing few a few months though before moving it on and looking for the next project.  probably at a 'loss' but then I call the experience and learning a 'gain' so there's that as well

 

If you're more about getting in the car and driving it and not really wanting the endless hours of 'fun' doing the build then definitely just buy one in good ish condition to start with and the work will be minimal

Edited by stuart bowes, 18 December 2025 - 04:43 PM.