That happens if the pin is screwed too far into the bracket in the bonnet. Same thing happened to me when I picked up my newly painted Mini in Toronto and began a 5 hour drive back to Ottawa. After 4 or 5 heart-stopping pops in the first half hour, I wired the sucker down. Easy adjustment - just turn it out gradually until the tip is grabbed securely by the latch, then secure it. If I recall correctly it should have a lock-nut on it.

Count your lucky stars and be careful making adjustments.

Mine was popping open anytime I hit a bump in the pavement. The extra latch kept it from flying up, but it was disconcerting in traffic to have the hood loose and bouncing.

It was a couple of years ago, so I can't say exactly what adjustment I made to fix it.

That's what's wrong with mine. Hey, MiniMike, my pin seems seized, is that normal? I figure I would put some PB Blaster on it and try again. But I'm now sanding the hood for paint, so not thrilled about Blaster around.

When you have it open, check where the hood pin screws into the bracket on the hood. The bracket tends to crack, losening the captive nut the pin threads into, which moves the center of the hood pin around as the car and hood vibrates.. sometimes it lines right up and other times if off enough to make it hard to open.  easy fix is to remove the hood unscrew the pin,  weld up the cracks, and reassemble..

Wouldn't there be a bit of adjustment in the fastening of the latch onto the slam panel? Slotted holes or something?
One could see where the pin comes down by greasing only it and taping a piece of paper over the the latch and seeing where the pin touches the paper. 

Is the bonnet pin similar to the older style? On those, if somebody has screwed in the pin too far the latching action may be insecure, resulting in random releases (followed quickly by heart-stoppages!). If it is in slightly too far and requires extra hand force on the bonnet to make it latch, it may simply be binding when latched.

Is the pin greased well ?

Watch the pin as it comes into contact with the socket on the slam panel.

Is it aligned with the hole in the socket front-to-back and left-to-right ?  If not carefully loosen the bonnet on its hinges to move it as required.

onetim.. the 92 SPI has internal hood latch.. totally different.. but might be same..  just try putting some grease on it.. when you have it up..might just be out of line a bit.

If it’s the same as a 62, I push down on the hood at the same time I pull the latch, works well my case. Just pulling on the latch seems to require a hard pull.

Got a 92 SPI Rover Mini sometimes have problems opening the hood, checked the latch and all seems fine. Is there any adjustment for it that needs to be done to open easier?