I did a Carfax on a 05 Mini i found interesting and it said it was first registered on 08/13/04. Is that a little early for an 05 or does that sound right?

 

I believe the first '05s could be ordered July of 2004 so and August reg date would be possible. I have an '05 that was ordered 8/07/04, built 9/01/04 and registered for the first time 10/07/04.

 

Mine is an '05 with a 7/04 build date and registered on 8/28/04 in California, which takes longer to get as opposed to the EastCoast.

 

2005 MINIs were built from July 2004 to August 2005, if I am not mistaken. Your build date sounds correct.

MINI typically starts building cars for the new year 6 months before the beginning of the actual production year, so it sounds correct.