2003 MINI COOPER S – JCW TUNING KIT

This 2003 Mini Cooper S is a very low-mileage example of the iconic modern hot hatch, presented in excellent condition throughout. It is equipped with a supercharged 1.6-litre inline-four engine, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. The odometer currently indicates just 35,466 miles from new.

An interesting addition to this car is the rare official JCW Tuning Kit, which ramped up the power output to 197bhp. The kit comprised a machined cylinder head, supercharger with reduction pulley, higher grade spark plugs, a cat-back exhaust upgrade and a remap of the ECU. It was finished with John Cooper Works badging on the upgraded engine, with a unique serial number for each installation.

First registered in December 2013, it has been in single family ownership from new, though the log book shows two previous registered keepers as it was not always registered using the same details.

The bodywork of this Mini Cooper S presents with even panel gaps and flush shut lines. The Dark Silver finish is in very good condition for its age, presenting with a few stone chips to the front end, some marring of the paint around the nearside fog light, and some marks on the nearside wing mirror and mounting strut. There are John Cooper Works badges on the rear and the front grille, denoting this car’s enhanced performance.

Its black plastic body trims are in good order, with only some minor scuffs around the front chin spoiler, and the nearside front and offside rear wheel arches. The vehicle rides on 17-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels, which have some blemishes around the rims, so would benefit from refurbishment to match the quality of the paintwork.

Moving inside, the seats are finished with a combination of Panther Black leather and Satellite cloth, and present with just some light wear to the driver’s outer bolster from entering and exiting the vehicle. Compared to some of the latest Minis, the cabin in this Cooper S has a chic and driver-focused ambience, with a button-free steering wheel and with the gear knob falling easily to hand. The driver controls and switches all appear in great condition, while the vendor has reported no faults with any interior electrics and no warning lights present on the dashboard.

The stamped booklet accompanying the car details its early service history up to 26,124 miles, exclusively maintained by main dealer Cooper Croydon. More recent paperwork has unfortunately been misplaced, though the online MOT history shows an annual test every single year from 2006 onwards – providing excellent evidence of the mileage – and it has never failed a test. The most recent MOT test was on 19 October 2020, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories. There are no known mechanical faults with the car at all.

Accompanying the car are the original handbooks, service book and full toolkit, as supplied new from the factory. The tyres are reported to be in satisfactory condition, and given the low mileage will likely benefit from replacement on the basis of age before wear is a factor.

This 2003 Mini Cooper S is a joyous hot hatch, presented in a smart colour scheme and with low mileage. The addition of a period-fit JCW Tuning Kit sets this example above numerous others on the market, benefitting from a useful amount of extra power and a more tuneful exhaust. Having been cherished by just one family from new, this Cooper S is now ready to be enjoyed by another enthusiast, and would make a great addition to a collection of affordable modern classics.

Summary of early service history:

• 12/12/2003 – Pre-delivery inspection
• 01/12/2005 – 6,545 miles (Oil service)
• 03/12/2007 – 12,157 miles (Oil service)
• 07/08/2008 – 14,082 miles (Oil service)
• 15/07/2010 – 20,330 miles (Inspection II)
• 06/07/2012 – 26,124 miles (Oil service)
• More recent paperwork not available
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• MOT history:
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• 18/12/2006 – 9,607 miles
• 03/12/2007 – 12,156 miles
• 20/11/2008 – 14,972 miles
• 23/11/2009 – 17,824 miles
• 10/12/2010 – 21,804 miles
• 08/12/2011 – 24,730 miles
• 24/11/2012 – 27,008 miles
• 26/11/2013 – 28,748 miles
• 21/11/2014 – 30,336 miles
• 24/11/2015 – 31,787 miles
• 09/11/2016 – 33,117 miles
• 01/11/2017 – 34,014 miles
• 24/10/2018 – 34,757 miles
• 14/10/2019 – 35,274 miles
• 19/10/2020 – 35,466 miles

Please note: as the car has just been transferred from one family member’s name to another, there may be a short wait for the latest V5C from the DVLA after the auction.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.