looking at a 2003 Cooper S

Compliance plate reads
MINI R50
Vin WMWRE32030TC......
05/03 (compliance date) not sure where to look for the build date

I thought a 2003 MCS was a R53?

Does this sound right?

They all have R50 on the compliance plate. Don't worry about it.

How many KMs on the one you're looking at?

it's got 95000km, what is concerning is that it had very little oil in it.

Do they have a history oil consumption?

The more I think about the more I am wary of it, it is being sold by the guys father as his son is O/S, read here, young guy modified car ( ie hitech exhaust, pod filter, not sure the ECU has been remapped etc etc) I think it might have had a hard life & is showing signs of age, a few rattles & squeeks etc.

I will follow up with the dealer who has serviced it & look into it's history

I'd leave it alone, there are plenty of MINIs out there.
You don't want one that's had a hard life, and at 95000 I'll bet my left nut it needs a new clutch: which is a $3000 bill from BMW, and $2000 from a BMW mechanic that knows what they're doing.

Low on oil: not good in general. Could have a rocker gasket leak, mine had one at a similar age. Superchargers can give problems too, but if the guys slapped an aftermarket pulley on there for more power find out what size. Up to 15% probably okay for normal use but if the cars been thrashed and done it tough I'd steer clear.

My top tip for poeple looking to buy a MINI:

Don't be tight and buy the cheapest one on the internet! It's cheap for a reason and it'll more than likely cost you in the long run!

thanks for the tip
cheers