1998 ROVER MINI COOPER - 10,147 MILES FROM NEW

This 1998 Rover Mini Cooper is a fantastic low-mileage example of an iconic classic, which has been in single family ownership until earlier this year. Finished in Volcano Orange with Monaco half-leather trim, this Mini presents in superb condition having covered just 10,147 miles from new.

With production stopping in 2000, this is a late example of the final variant of the classic-shape Mini, and the last to use the legendary 1275cc engine paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Featuring multi-point fuel injection, these cars are renowned as arguably the most usable and reliable version of the original Mini. With fastidious prior ownership, this is undoubtedly a great modern classic.

First registered on 19 March 1998, the car was supplied by Tristar Croydon (later Camden Rover) to a Mr Sesemann. The car was in his name until 3 June 2005, at which point the car was passed over to his wife, who came the second registered keeper, up until the current owner acquired it in March 2020. The car was therefore in single family ownership for 22 years. The seller has driven it sparingly, adding only a few hundred miles to the total.

The smart Volcano Orange paintwork, paired with white roof, wing mirrors, bonnet stripes and ‘Mini Cooper’ decals, is in excellent condition with a deep shine and crisp shut lines all around the body panels. Fog lights complete the retro look, which have one small spot of surface rust. The correct Minilite-style 12-inch alloy wheels are in good order, with only some minor nicks around the rims in places.

The engine bay is in excellent condition, with undamaged Rover stickers on the radiator and a tidy appearance. Unlike many classic Minis, this example is in unmodified original condition.

Moving inside, the half-leather Monaco leather interior pairs well with the exterior colour and is complemented by a wood dashboard. The seats show minimal wear, commensurate with the low mileage, with both door cards and carpets appearing fresh. As with the rest of the car, the interior is original and has not even been retrofitted with a later stereo system. Two very minor points are the lightly faded dashboard wood to the passenger side and a single missing screw cover trim on the passenger side door pull, but these do not diminish the otherwise fantastic condition.

The Mini was most recently serviced in March 2020 by specialist Paul Higgs Cars at 9,950 miles, and the car boasts a detailed maintenance history with 14 services in total – a summary of this can be seen in the photo gallery. The car was MOT tested in April 2020 at 9,987 miles with no advisories, and the seller reports the tyres are in great shape, with Pirelli items at the front and Falken at the rear.

A rare, low mileage, low ownership example of a last-of-the-line classic, this 1998 Rover Mini Cooper represents a great opportunity to buy a scarcely used but very well-maintained city car, presented in superb order throughout. Ideal for a collector or enthusiast alike, this Mini is ready for a new owner to enjoy its charms.