Used Mini Convertible 2009-2015 review

Annoyingly, four-seat convertibles tend to be large and, quite often, rather expensive. Even if you consider buying a used one, they tend to come from premium brands and therefore hold their value well. Fortunately, there’s always the Mini Convertible. It may not be the most spacious car around, but it is big fun and can be yours for surprisingly little money.

Engine choices mostly mirror those of the regular Mini hatchback, but because the Convertible weighs 30kg more due to the additional chassis strengthening needed to make up for the lack of a permanent roof, don’t expect quite the same level of perky performance. The 98bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine available from mid-2010 is good enough, just as long as you don’t mind revving it hard. The 118bhp 1.6-litre unit in the Cooper is the one that should suit most drivers, though, because it's fast enough to be fun while still being fairly frugal.

If that's not enough, try the Cooper S, with its 175bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. And if you really want to move, the John Cooper Works version has an impressive 208bhp. If fuel economy is important, there's a 108bhp 1.6-litre diesel available from Cooper spec and above. In 2011, the Cooper SD was introduced with a 143bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, and this makes for a very relaxing but high-performance Mini. An automatic gearbox was also available; this is well matched to the car's performance and fairly smooth. The manual is still more satisfying to use, though.

Accommodation in the front of the Convertible is rather good, and the driving position has lots of adjustment to ensure even the tallest of drivers can make themselves at home. The same can’t be said of those in the back, but then the Mini hatchback isn’t that great in this regard either. Boot space is also an issue, because the folding roof mechanism encroaches into the luggage compartment when the hood is down and access to the load area is through a tiny slot. The roof impedes your rearward visibility when folded down, too.

The Convertible didn't come well equipped as standard. Entry-level One examples got a CD player, electric windows and mirrors and remote central locking, while the Cooper got alloy wheels and a sportier-looking interior. Air conditioning was optional on both.

Customers were mostly encouraged to specify option packs when the car was new, so it's worth highlighting some of the more popular choices here. Salt is something to look for on the One, because it adds front foglights, a trip computer and extra storage compartments. On Cooper models, there was Pepper, Chili or a combination of both. Pepper added a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated mirrors and windscreen washer jets (also Bluetooth and climate control on later models), while Chili included a three-spoke steering wheel, sports seats, sports suspension and larger alloy wheels.

Prices for a Mini Convertible at the time of writing started at £3000 for a 2009 1.6-litre Cooper, but use our free valuation tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Check the value of a used Mini Convertible with What Car? Valuation

The most economical Mini Convertible is, quite predictably, the 1.6-litre diesel. Thanks to a combined fuel economy figure of 70.6mpg (NEDC) and CO2 emissions of 105g/km, you won’t have to stop for fuel very often or pay much in road tax. The more powerful 2.0-litre diesel is almost as good, at 62.8mpg and 118g/km.

The 98bhp and 118bhp petrols share a combined economy figure of 49.6mpg and 133g/km, while the more powerful turbocharger Cooper S gets 47.1mpg and 139g/km and the thirstiest JCW model is down to 41.5mpg and 157g/km. To find out about the current road tax costs, click here for further information.

Mini main dealer servicing is actually pretty reasonable when compared with other premium brands, so looking after a Mini Convertible shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Given the potential long-term reliability issues with the diesel model, you might find that the initial savings made in fuel costs could be undone by expensive maintenance bills later on. It might therefore be more cost-effective to go for a petrol model, with the 122bhp 1.6-litre Cooper providing the best blend of performance and running costs. If insurance costs aren’t a concern, a Cooper S or faster John Cooper Works would be an even more entertaining way of going topless.

Choosing a 1.6-litre Cooper also means you get a decent level of equipment, but look out for an example with the Pepper or Chili packs to get more kit.

Our favourite Mini Convertible: 1.6 Cooper

The Fiat 500C is a small car that, like the Mini, has been styled to look cute. However, it doesn’t drive with the same verve as the Mini and, in some cases, its engines aren’t as efficient.

If you fancy something a bit bigger and much classier, try an Audi A3 Cabriolet. The A3 is a very refined car, and the open-top version continues to be so whether the roof is up or down. The plush interior is a particular highlight, as is the fantastic range of petrol and diesel engines.

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