Used Mini Hatchback 2007-2014 review

A host of subtle tweaks have produced a car that looks just like its predecessor. Luckily this version of the Mini has retained all the good points of the old car, while trying to address the shortfalls.

It still handles like a grown-up go-kart, with accurate and well-weighted steering, with good body control in corners. Indeed, the chassis can cope with quite a lot of power.

The ride is on the firm side, but it doesn't become uncomfortable. The Mini is refined enough to make motorway miles pleasurable, even if there is some wind and road noise at speed.

The front passenger has enough head and legroom, but the rear seats are still too cramped for older children. The boot, although slightly bigger than the old car's, still isn't much use.

The cabin is an evolution of the previous model's styling and is best described as faux-retro. It certainly looks the part, but the quality of some of the materials used is disappointing.

Power comes from either a 1.4 or 1.6-litre petrol engines or a 1.6 or 2.0-litre diesel. All offer decent economy, with the diesel options benefitting the most from cheap road tax, thanks to low fuel consumption.

There was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it facelift completed in 2011 that concentrated on the lights front and rear, a new front bumper, an upgrade to the interior plastics and a new diesel engine.

An early 2007 1.6-litre petrol Cooper with average mileage could be yours for as little as £1800. The high-performance Cooper S starts at not much more than that, at around £3000 for a 2007 example with high mileage.

The insurance friendly Mini One makes a great first car for new drivers with a small 1.4-litre engine. A good one of these with a full-service history could be yours for £2300.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, a 2011 facelift car starts around £4000, all the way up to £18,000 for a low mileage John Cooper Works GP.

After the initial purchase, you’ll find that the Mini is actually quite an economical vehicle. When the range was refreshed in 2011, most models gained a start/stop system to help cut emissions and improve fuel consumption.

Before the introduction of the stop-start system, the 1.4-litre managed a combined average of 49.6mpg and £135 tax; improving to 53.3mpg and £115 tax after the system was fitted. The 1.6 petrol Cooper went from 48.7mpg and £135 tax to 52.3mpg and £115, and the Cooper S from 40.9mpg and £190 tax down to 48.7mpg and £135 tax.

The diesel Cooper jumped the most from 64.2mpg and £30 tax to 74.3mpg and free road tax. From 2011, a 2.0-litre diesel was offered that had an average figure of 65.7mpg and £30 road tax.

Most models will have relatively low insurance costs thanks to their excellent safety record, but the faster Cooper S model will be pricey. Servicing shouldn’t be too costly, with the Mini Value service offering a clear, set price for regular servicing and maintenance items.

The Mini doesn't come well equipped as standard. The First ran between 2009-2014 and was introduced to make Mini ownership more affordable. But, this meant that many luxuries were removed such as alloy wheels and air-con. Less powerful engines were also fitted, which makes the First rather slow. Although, it does still keep all the important safety kit fitted to other Minis. The difference in price between this and a more generously equipped One or Cooper isn’t great enough to justify going for a First as a used buy.

The One gets a CD player, electric windows and mirrors, and remote central locking, while the Cooper gets alloys and a sportier interior trim. Air-conditioning is an option on both.

Owners were encouraged to specify option packs when the car was new, so it's worth highlighting the content of the more popular choices. Salt is something to look for on the One because it adds front fog lights, onboard computer, and extra storage compartments. Pepper is also desirable because you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated mirrors and windscreen washer jets (and Bluetooth on later models). The Chilli pack on Cooper models adds a three-spoke steering wheel. While some packs are quite useful, don't feel you need to pay over the odds for a Mini with lots of options. Most will have a few extras fitted to them when new.

Your choice of engine will depend on your need for speed. The 74bhp 1.4-litre and later 1.6-litre (also with 74bhp) petrol engines used in the First are a bit too slow. The more powerful 94bhp 1.4-litre or larger 98bhp 1.6-litre – available from mid-2010 – petrol engines used in the One are perky enough, if you're prepared to rev them hard. However, the 118bhp 1.6-litre unit in the Cooper is the one that should suit most driver because it's fast enough to be fun while being frugal, too.

If that's not enough, then try the Cooper S, with its turbocharged 175bhp 1.6-litre engine. And, if you really want to move, then the John Cooper S Works version has an impressive 208bhp. There's also a limited run John Cooper Works GP that is even more hardcore with 212bhp, adjustable coil-over suspension and no back seats, but it's rare and expensive.

If fuel economy is important, there's a 108bhp 1.6-litre diesel available, that's available from Cooper spec and above. It's fun to drive and manages much better fuel economy than the petrol cars. In 2011, the Cooper SD was introduced with a 143bhp 2.0-litre diesel, that makes for a very relaxing performance Mini.

An automatic gearbox was also available that's well matched to the car's performance and is still fairly smooth. The manual is still more satisfying to use, though.

Our favourite Mini Hatchback: 1.6-litre petrol Cooper

The Audi A1 is a very classy small car and is perhaps the closest rival to the Mini. It doesn’t have the style of the Mini, but it does have an easier to use infotainment system and a well-finished interior. You can also find the A1 in five-door form, which makes it a little more practical for those with young children.

The Fiat 500 is a smaller car, but, like the Mini, it’s been styled to look cute. However, it doesn’t drive with the same verve as the Mini and, in some case, its engines aren’t as efficient as the ones used in the Mini.

The Toyota IQ uses its interior space well, meaning it is quite compact on the outside, yet relatively spacious on the inside. Again, it doesn’t drive or perform like the Mini, but it is well built and rather reliable too.

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