Hood Won't Open
 

I brought my 2014 Justa to a body shop to repair a hit and run dent on my hood/fender. They called me to tell me that they are not able to open its hood. I've sent them a copy of the manual and youtube video's showing that it takes 2 releases on the lever. They believe that something is wrong with the hood opening mechanism and that it would take a lot of work to take off the wheel and other things to release the hood. I find it hard to believe that something is wrong because I just brought it into dealer for an oil change a few weeks back. Does anyone have any suggestions or are these body shop guys just buffoons. I'd rather not make the trip out to the body shop since it's a bit out of the way to have a look. Thanks!

Did you follow up with the shop to see if the double pull technique worked? I've owned a MINI since 2008 and found that these cars aren't well understood outside of dealer and specially trained shops. They may mistakenly think that two pulls on the release means it's broken.

I did. I even sent them a picture of the manual about the 2x double pull. I'll follow up with them after the Labor Day weekend.

When I would use a car bra on the hood sometimes when I try to unlock the hood it won't open. Even after the pulling the release 2x. The car bra doesn't even block where the hood latches on. It seemed to only not release on the drivers side.
The only way to release it was to push down on the hood on the drivers side while pulling the latch 2x.
Recently the the lever broke because of the car bra and had to buy a new lever for releasing the hood.

If it happens again check this out : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sed-again.html

@2014MCS_Miami I really hope you're still around as I'm in a similar circumstance with my hood latch. I understand the pain you went through as I'm going through it now. I'm hoping the picture I've attached looks familiar to you. In my situation the cable has completely detached from the latch as you can see circled. This is my view from the driver's side wheel well. My hood is completely secured, meaning neither of the two clicks on this side has released. I'm stuck as I don't know where to push or pull on the latch manually to open it up mimicking two pulls of the cable lever inside the car. Unlike you, I'm assuming my ring is not twisting. If you can help give me some direction as to how you manipulated the latch I will post pictures on multiple Mini forums to help anyone in the future. Thanks!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...64d61a5cc6.png
Cable disconnected from hood latch. Ball at end of cable can be seen circled.