Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but it the thread describes the problem I had, but offered no solution. I offer the solution :-)

I have Cooper S R56 and had very stupidly disconnected the internal cable from the box under the bonnet that connects it to the two cables that connect to the locks at the front of the bonnet and then closed the bonnet. Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!

My good friend Sean jacked up the car and from underneath used a long screwdriver to release the right hand lock (UK drivers side). He prised open the lock. The screwdriver wasn't long enough to reach the left hand side (US drivers side), so we used a long handled mini paint roller to prise open that lock.

A tough job which overall took two hours, but from underneath the car only took about 20 minutes. We initially tried going through the front scoop and push the plastic box away (i.e. effectively pulling the two cables), but simply couldn't get enough purchase to do this. Hope this helps someone.

 

Yep, a long handle flat head will work if you can find one. I have seen people use a long one with a hook on the end. You have to get a super long one thats skinny. Thanks

One other thing is to just check first that the cable did not pop out of the handle on the inside because the cable was rusted. I hit mine with WD40 up under the hood once a year to prevent sticking and rust.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hood-help.html

 

take left / right wheel off and go in through wheel well I had to do this after my latch was damaged from a tow