Used Mini For Sale

Country & Base – UK – Oxford

Key Models:

• One [supermini]
• Cooper [supermini]
• Clubman [supermini estate]
• Convertible [supermini convertible]
• Roadster [supermini roadster]
• Countryman [family hatch]

Netcars Need To Know:

Buying a used MINI is simple. Buying the right used MINI is an altogether tougher proposition. Despite being on sale since 2001 and looking ostensibly similar, in hatch guise at least, the MINI has actually come on a long way. The biggest revision came in 2006, with the launch of the second generation 'R56' car. With better engines, more interior space and the addition of a Clubman estate version in 2008 to augment the hatch and convertible models, the MINI's star was in the ascendancy. With Convertibles, Roadsters, Coupes and the bigger Countryman models added, there's no shortage of models to opt for.

If you must have a pre-2006 MINI, go very sensible or very stupid. The base 1.6-litre MINI One can be found for £2,500 and this will get you into the MINI family cheaply and without too much hassle. At the other end of the scale is the fearsome – and fearsomely thirsty – Cooper S John Cooper Works Edition with its screaming supercharger. You'll pay £9,000 for what has to be the wildest MINI ever built.

After that, things got a lot more civilised. The Clubman never really made the numbers hoped for, but it was the launch of the Countryman that has really set the cat amongst the pigeons. The MINI was always criticised for being a bit portly but the Countryman is seriously hefty. It hasn't sold that well and as a result has been subject to dealer discounting. All of which means that £14,000 can put you in the seat of a low mileage 2011 car that should sell for nearer £18,000 new with options. Best of the current MINI hatch range? That'll be the Cooper S. Budget £7,000 and you'll get a very tidy 2007 model year car with the lovely 1.6-litre turbo engine co-developed by BMW and Peugeot. It's the best small petrol engine money can buy right now. Reason enough, don't you think?