1998 Rover Mini Cooper

With a verified mileage of just 10,000 miles, this ultra-rare Mini Cooper might show two owners on the V5 registration document but they were a husband and wife, meaning it has been in the care of the same family since it was bought new in December 1998.

With a full main dealer service history, a recent service in March 2020, and a new MOT (that was gained without a single advisory point, we might add) it is fighting fit and raring to meet its new owner.

Being offered with a very sensible reserve, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy what is essentially a brand-new, factory specification classic Mini Cooper finished in a very rare colour.

It’s not often you get to write that a car is in showroom condition without having to add some caveats, but that’s exactly how the Mini presents. Remarkably well-preserved, everything is pristine from the paintwork in the wheel wells to the chrome front and rear bumpers to the plastic wheelarch extensions. It’s all utterly familiar, gloriously old-fashioned and all the better for being so original.

And this degree of originality means that the panel fit is excellent and still exactly as it left the factory. It also means that the panel gaps are as even as they’ve ever been, and the doors, boot and bonnet all latch as they should.

The rare and much sought after Volcano Orange paintwork is wonderfully retro - and wonderfully preserved. With nary a mark on it, the contrasting white roof, white pinstripes down the side, white door mirrors, and the ‘Mini Cooper’ logo on each rear wing set it off a treat.

The chromework is excellent too, and while the front and rear bumpers might not deform in the same way as more modern plastic jobbies do, they look fabulous. Further brightwork comes by way of the fuel filler cap, door handles, window, windscreen and light surrounds, and the ornate front grille. All are, of course, in an outstanding condition.

As is the underside; where the sills on most Minis of this age have been replaced and coated with black underseal or hide behind a plastic finishing strip, these are original and still painted the same colour as the bodywork.

Black plastic wheelarch extensions straddle a set of 12-inch Minilite alloy wheels, which are shod with good tyres. There are a couple of minor scuffs to the wheel rims, so we can see that the new owner might want to get them refurbished.

Twin white ‘Go-Faster’ stripes and a pair of spotlights hark back to the days when bolt-on goodies like this were worth at least 10bhp and a couple of seconds off the 0-60mph time. (And we timed ourselves to 60mph back then, too…)

Work to do is limited to removing some marks on the outer edge of the nearside door mirror. Most should polish out, which is where we’d be tempted to stop but if the new owner would like to eradicate them entirely then removing the mirror and painting it would be a straightforward job.

Oh, and the two black-painted brackets that hold the front spotlights on are starting to go a little rusty: #firstworldproblems, eh?

The Mini’s seats are finished in attractive "Monaco" fabric with black leather trim and cream piping. Still as firm and supportive as the day they left the factory, they offer an enormous amount of space for the car’s four occupants, especially when you consider how diminutive the car’s footprint is.

The steering wheel, complete with a hefty airbag, might look a little modern and incongruous in such an iconic interior but it’s a significant safety upgrade and its thick rim feels wonderful in your hands. Two-tone, its cream sections match the gearknob and gaiter, the piping on the seats, and the clock and dashboard gauges.

The walnut dashboard is in an excellent condition, although the varnish is starting to lift in a few small areas. Still, sorting that out would be an easy job for a professional or a chance to learn new skills for the keen DIYer.

More good news comes with the fact that the Mini has retained its original branded radio/cassette player. The rest of the switchgear is very clean and crisp to operate, and the cream-faced dials all function perfectly.

The headlining is ridiculously clean and the door cards are excellent. The moulded carpets are similarly spotless, and lifting them reveals only the factory finish paintwork and no rust or corrosion whatsoever.

The painted boot is very clean and well organised. Home to the windscreen washer fluid reservoir and battery, there is no rust in there either.

Astonishingly, the black steel spare wheel is still shod with its original Pirelli tyre. Neither looks to have ever been used and while it is time-expired by now it is a wonderful keepsake, and if it were ours we’d be tempted to buy another wheel and tyre for emergency use allowing us to preserve this pair for posterity.

Oh, and the rear window catches are still wearing their protective plastic film, so what you might think is flaking chrome is actually further proof of this Mini’s incredible originality.

This is going to be a very short section because, as you’d expect given its main dealer history and mileage, the Mini simply hasn’t needed the sort of repairs and restorative work that a higher mileage, less pampered example would have needed.

Last serviced a month ago – a procedure that included having its tappets adjusted - it starts well and ticks over evenly as you can see and hear in the video. The owner tells us that it drives as you would expect a 10,000 mile Mini to drive, being tight and brimming with vim and vigour.

The engine bay is typically crowded but untypically clean and free of rust. Very well presented, it is in need of nothing other than regular servicing and the occasional wipe over with a clean rag.

The Mini’s MOT certificate expires in April 2021, and was gained without a single advisory point. The online MOT history also confirms the car’s low mileage.

The car also comes with its original service history booklet with 14 main dealer stamps in it.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to the very highest standard.

NB. We know that you will be limiting your social exposure over the coming days and weeks, so please feel free to contact the owner and ask him to shoot a personal video of the car honing in on any areas you’d like him to concentrate on.

With a miniscule mileage, full main dealer history and an immaculate body and interior, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your hands on what is almost certainly the very best modern-era Mini Cooper in existence.

Certainly one for the collector and investor, its guide price of £11,000 to £15,000 means it is still affordable enough for the enthusiast to buy and run as a daily driver too; at half the price of the less-than-iconic new MINI Cooper, it’s sure to draw attention wherever it goes while delivering more smiles-per-mile than anything you can buy from your local BMW dealer…

And cars like this are in constant demand; when the market falters, it reverts to safe cars, cars it knows and trusts – and no car is more trusted than the Mini. That this example has an unimpeachable provenance and is in truly showroom and original condition just adds to its already considerable appeal.

This particular car is located with the vendor near Salisbury in Wiltshire. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.

Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.