Used Mini Convertible 2016-2024 review

We like convertibles in this country despite our ever-changeable climate, but they can cost a lot of money, and it seems like you're not getting your money's worth if you can't always drive with the top down.

You could go for a used one, though, like this Mini Convertible, because you'll get a stylish, well-made drop-top with a classy interior filled with lots of up-to-the-minute tech for a fraction of what it cost new.

Engines: There isn’t a bad option in the Mini Convertible engine range. The entry-level turbocharged 136bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol is a particularly good one because it’s smooth in everyday driving, quiet and economical. The 192bhp 2.0-litre in the Cooper S is a bit livelier, while the high-performance 231bhp John Cooper Works model is a good laugh. For the economy-minded, there is the 116bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel that's very frugal and refinement is pretty good, too, although this engine was dropped from the range when the car was treated to a mid-life refresh in 2020.

Trims and equipment: Cooper models come with enough equipment to get by, but the Pepper Pack improves things dramatically because it adds rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, a sports steering wheel and auto lights and wipers.

Later, post-facelift models tweaked the trims in line with the three-door Mini hatchback, with a choice of Classic, Sport and Exclusive. Classic gives you LED headlights, a powered hood and rear parking sensors. Sport is all about styling, with cruise control the only extra functional feature it brings. Meanwhile, Exclusive trim costs the same new as Sport, exchanging sporty looks for leather seats and chrome highlights for a more luxurious feel. The hot John Cooper Works version, meanwhile, gains sports suspension and further cosmetic enhancements.

Whichever trim level you go for, we'd recommend seeking out a used car with at least the Comfort and Navigation packs; the Navigation Plus Pack is worth finding for its class-leading infotainment system. The Driving Assistant Pack is useful, too, because this adds automatic emergency braking.

Ride and handling: Out on the open road, the Mini Convertible is much nicer to drive than the Fiat 500C and DS 3 Cabrio and has a finely balanced ride that soaks up the worst of the bumps and potholes but is still firm enough that it doesn’t roll badly in bends. You’ll notice a bit of shudder through the chassis on rougher bits of road, but that is to be expected on a car with no fixed roof.

The steering is just as quick as the regular Mini, too, although its 90kg weight disadvantage over the regular three-door hatch means the Mini Convertible isn’t as agile.

Interior and practicality: Just like the standard Mini, rear passengers will feel cramped and the boot is more of a letterbox slot. Also, overall load capacity is heavily compromised with the roof down because the roof and its mechanism robs space. You can, at least, fold the back seats down to increase cargo capacity. Up front, occupants are well catered for, since there’s lots of adjustment in both the steering wheel and seats to allow even the tallest people to find a comfortable position.

If you're interested in finding a used Mini Convertible, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Cars pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

An early 2016 Cooper model with the 1.5 petrol engine starts at around £10,000 for something with lots of miles on it, while lower mileage examples ones start at £12,000. The more sprightly Cooper S is more expensive again, with prices starting at £14,500, while the JCW range-topper is the most expensive Mini Convertible you can buy at £17,000 for something that doesn't have a history of accident damage or high mileage. Roughly, you'll need to budget between £10,000 and £15,000 for cars in good condition from 2016, 2017 and 2018, and around £15,000 to £20,000 on models from 2019 and 2020, depending on spec. Look to spend between £20,000 to £28,000 on 2022 and 2023 cars.

Check the value of a used Mini hatch with What Car? Valuations

MPG

Fuel economy and road tax costs for most Mini Convertible models are actually rather good. The 1.5 petrol has a combined figure of 57.6mpg, under the older NEDC tests, while the 1.5 diesel has a figure of 70.6mpg. The Cooper S and JCW versions aren’t quite so cheap to run. The Cooper S has an average figure of 47.1mpg, while the JCW is rated to do 43.5mpg - less if you drive it with gusto.

Under the later WLTP tests, these figures changed to the 1.5 averaging 47.9mpg, the 2.0 to 43.5mpg and the John Cooper 2.0 to 39.8mpg.

CO2 emissions

The Mini with the lowest CO2 output is the 1.5 diesel with 100g/km, under the older NEDC tests, which sneaks it into the free car tax band. Up next is the 1.5 petrol with 114g/km, followed by the 2.0 Cooper S with 139g/km. The JCW is the worst, but 152g/km isn't particularly bad compared with some rivals.

Road tax (VED)

Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending upon the emissions the engine produces (see above paragraph), while examples registered after this date will have the same flat rate fee for cars that cost less than £40,000 when new. The current rate is £180 a year. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Insurance and servicing costs

Insurance rates for most versions will be reasonable, although the Cooper S and JCW models will be more costly. Some cars less than three years old may still have some services left under the Mini TLC servicing package that new owners could buy with the car. After three years, Mini has a fixed-price value service scheme with prices that are published on their website.

Engine

Unless you really want to do lots of miles in a convertible Mini, there isn’t much point going for the diesel model. The Cooper S and JCW models are fun but aren’t quite as good to drive as their equivalent hatch versions, so we’d suggest sticking with the standard 1.5 petrol. It is a very impressive engine in its own right and it’s quite economical, too.

Specification

This also means we’d stick with the entry-level Cooper model, because that’s the only trim that the 1.5 petrol comes with. However, we’d recommend looking out for cars fitted with the Pepper Pack, because of the extra equipment you get for a little more money. Also, stick with the manual version; it’s a slick gearbox and adds to the fun of driving a Mini.

Our favourite Mini Convertible 1.5 Cooper Pepper Pack

The older VW Beetle Cabriolet certainly doesn’t handle as well as the convertible Mini and the interior is nowhere near as stylish. But it is cheaper to buy and the boot is bigger.

Both the Fiat 500C and DS 3 Cabrio are a lot cheaper than the Mini, but they are smaller and, in the case of the Fiat, much slower – this explains why they’re cheaper.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Find a used Mini Convertible for sale in our What Car? classifieds >>