2006 MINI Cooper S

Highlights

• Supercharged 168 hp engine
• Excellent service history
• Just 65k miles
• Six-speed manual transmission
• ULEZ compliant

Overview

You know how small dogs bark the loudest? Well, the same appears to be true for cars. The all-caps “MINI” has been shouting its name at us for nearly a quarter of a century now. Has nobody thought to tell the BMW marketing department that they can turn off the caps lock now? (We’ll turn ours off now). But other than its flagrant overuse of majuscule lettering, the ‘new’ Mini has earned its own rightful place in our collective automotive consciousness.

The example we see here has the desirable addition of a Cooper S badge. And this is a good thing, because it means it has a supercharger, and is therefore able to squeeze 168 hp out of a 1.6-litre petrol engine. This power then gets served up to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, so the driver can have as much fun as they might desire.

This pleasantly off-white Cooper S features a very well preserved interior, with two-tone cloth seats and recently serviced air-conditioning. Its retro-inspired styling includes a comically large, centrally-mounted speedometer, toggle switches, and chrome accents.

So if you’re looking for a well-serviced hatchback which also packs a supercharged punch, then this Mini has a lot to offer. And it’s even still under the 66,000 mile mark, which is pretty good for a car built in 2006.

History and documentation

• Registered 9 Jun 2006
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Aug 2008 @ 11,604 miles, Nov 2010 @ 21622 miles, May 2013 @ 31,620 miles, May 2014 @ 36,845 miles, Apr 2015 @ 40,908 miles, May 2016 @ 44,748 miles, May 2017 @ 47,227 miles, May 2018 @ 49,824 miles, May 2019 @ 51,805 miles, Jun 2020 @ 54,794 miles, May 2021 @ 56,130 miles, May 2022 @ 57,441 miles, Jun 2022 @ 57,738 miles, Jun 2023 @ 57,887 miles
• Collection of original documentation
• Some invoices and old MOT certificates on file
• Two remote keys, and a third blank master key
• Only three former keepers
• Current MOT expires 12 Jun 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Stepping into this Cooper S, you wouldn't think it has been on the road since 2006
• The upholstery is in very good condition condition for its age
• Only some light creasing to the driver’s bolster
• The two-tone cloth upholstery looks smart and tidy throughout
• Headlining equally well presented
• On the dashboard, there are plenty of toggle switches to keep you occupied
• Contrasting brushed metal pieces, add some visual interest
• The large, centrally mounted speedometer harks back to the original Mini Cooper
• A radio/CD player sits in the centre console, just above the air-conditioning switch
• The seller informs us that the air-conditioning has recently been serviced and is in good working order
• Similarly, all the controls and switched gear are said to function faultlessly
• Overall, the interior of this Cooper S is lovely and original, and looking very good for its age
• To the rear, the hatchback boot offers a reasonable amount of luggage space and easy access
• It is fully carpeted with few signs of wear

Exterior

• Unmistakably a new Mini, this car’s silhouette is now just as recognisable as the original Mini it evokes
• The body panels and shut lines all look nice and straight, from what we can see
• No dents or damage reported
• The Cooper S badges and prominent bonnet scoop set this apart from other Minis on the road
• An off-white colour scheme is also reminiscent of classic Minis
• Of course, the car has picked up a few paint scratches and chips over the years, but remains generally very presentable
• No significant damage or repairs that we could see
• The vendor informs us that this car has previously been professionally detailed and ceramic coated
• 16-inch alloy wheels, with MINI centre caps
• There are a few scuffs and scratches on the wheels
• The tyres were reportedly replaced in 2024, and they appear to retain a good deal of tread
• Underneath, as far as we can see, there is the standard amount of slight surface corrosion
• The seller tells us that there is no damage to the underneath, or evidence of previous repairs

Mechanical

• 1,598cc four-cylinder supercharged petrol engine
• 168 hp is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox
• 0-62 mph in 7.2 seconds, and a top speed of 138 mph
• Four-wheel alignment and and camber adjusted in July 2023
• The seller tells us that the car performs very well, is smooth throughout the rev range, and that the supercharger works perfectly
• The reassuringly well stamped service record provides plenty of peace of mind
• Under the bonnet, the engine bay looks about as clean and tidy as you can expect for a car of this age and mileage
• There are invoices on file for replacement strut bearings and track rod ends
• The MOT passed in May 2024 lists a few advisories, including one worn rear brake disc, a minor exhaust leak, and a perishing fuel filler seal but the seller has since addressed all these points

Summary

In all, the years appear to have been very kind to this Cooper S. Other than a few chips and scratches, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was much newer than it actually is. Couple this with the car’s thorough service record, the car’s reputation for being a riot to drive and you have a good number of reasons to place a bid.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.