Went to open the bonnet yesterday morning the put some washer fluid in like he asked me to (every time I start...). Pulled the release and got a "snap!" but not the "pop" I was expecting. Had it open the day before and it was fine - hard pull as usual, but opened and all.
I can hear it trying to work under the bonnet, close to where the latch is. So it's not just pulled out from the release handle.
Obviously, this is a warranty issue. I don't want to have to take him back to the dealer here though, for a long list of reasons that isn't worth going into. Suffice it to say that's my absolute last resort.
If I can do it myself (I have access to a lift and tools) easily or cheap-ish I will. All I really need to do is get it open, fill it up, check everything else, and shut it until August when another dealer opens.
So... anyone know how to open the bonnet from under/outside the car?

Maybe just tapping gently on the hood near the latch might get things unstuck if the cable and attachments are still intact.

Depends on which end it is broken, If it is the PULL (which it probably is not) then it is relatavely easy to access. You will have to remove the side panel to get to the pull assy.This entails removing the door seal, Drivers seat belt anchor, trim at bottom of door, small panel above pull, and large side panel by drivers foot. This will allow you to get at the mechanism and see if it is broken at that end. You will probably be able to grab it with a set of pliers. ( All of us who have DIY installed the OEM driving lights have had to do this and more) . The front end I cant help you with. You can pm me with any additional questions. Note, I personally lubricated mine , each end with white grease , this made it a lot easier to open.

I can see the cable (wire, really) still attached to the pull. When I pull on it I can hear it trying to do something under the bonnet, but it's not hard to pull anymore. I grabbed it with some pliers and tugged a little, and it pulls easily and doesn't do anything. So the problem is somewhere under the bonnet.
I did try gently and no so gently tapping on the bonnet, pushing down, pulling up, etc, but to no avail.
Thanks for the suggestions, though. I will have to lube it once I get it working.

I just went out and looked at mine with the bonnet open. With a small arm and a suitable tool and a good light it is just possible to reach the drivers side latch. there is two movable pieces on each latch ,(the trip arm and the lock arm) ,the small piece (the trip) on the drivers side of the assy, (the one with the cable attached to it) is easy to trip with a long rod or screwdriver. The passenger side may be more difficult, the pvc skirts under the rad will have to be removed. The best bet would be to look at someones Mini with the bonnet open and see for your self. Good Luck.

Thanks!

Well, you're not the only one:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=hood

Hmm... well that doesn't make me feel any better. But at least Lewis isn't just mad at me.

My hood release just broke - the cable is loose at the release pull so that end is OK - it has come off somewhere else. I am well out of warranty so need to open the hood myself. Does anyone have instructions on how to do that? djam43's note helps but, as I have not paid much attention to the mechanism when the hood was open, I am not really sure what I am reaching for or how to get at it. Sorry if this is already answered - I did a search but couldn't find anything.
Thanks

Mine snapped at the inside latch and the cable retreated inside, way out of reach, with the bonnet shut. Fortunately the dealer had just serviced the car so I know the fluids were topped off and OK because I had to wait two weeks for the parts to get it fixed under warranty

this is a rare occurence. btw off-warranty it's about $125 to fix. welcome to the snapped bonnet latch club!

I'd like to have a go at fixing this myself. Has anyone managed to open the hood when the cable is broken? How do you do it? I spent some time under the car yesterday trying to figure out how to push on the latch with a long rod but couldn't figure out what needed to move.