Used Mini Convertible cars for sale

The Mini Convertible is exactly what it says it is – the convertible version of the Mini Hatchback. It's a two-door, four-seater car with a narrow boot opening necessitated by the soft-top roof, rather than the Hatchback's, er, hatchback-style opening.

A minor facelift in 2021 brought a slightly revised body kit with a less prominent front grille design.

The Mini Convertible measures a little over 3.8 metres long – exactly the same footprint as the three-door hardtop Mini Hatchback. That's small by any standard, taking up less space on the road than small hatches like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, making the Mini very easy to slip into tight parking spaces.

The tradeoff for its manoeuvrability is a small cabin that's really only large enough for two people to use regularly. You will be able to put passengers in the rear seats but they won't be comfortable, and they won't relish being trapped back there for long journeys. The boot, equally, will tackle a weekly shop or hold a couple of cabin bags, but you'll have to fold the back seats down to accommodate anything larger.

There's only three petrol engines to choose from and all have enough performance to make the Mini easy and fun to drive. So, by that measure, there's no harm in going for the entry-level 1.5-litre Cooper model.

That said, the Mini focuses on sporty driving, so we find it hard to resist the extra shove offered by the 2.0-litre Cooper S engine.

You'll get the biggest thrill from the JCW model, which does feel appreciably faster than the Cooper S. However, we're not quite as sure it's worth the extra cash, so only step up to the JCW if you want the best-of-the-best.

Earlier 'new' Minis developed a bit of a reputation for unreliability. However, several reliability surveys have indicated that this most recent model is far more robust.

You can always enhance your peace of mind by adding an extended warranty when you buy your Mini, which will protect you from the cost of unexpected mechanical or electrical failures.

For the right kind of buyer, the Mini Convertible is an excellent choice.

Let's be clear – it's not the cheapest option in this class, nor the most efficient, and its practicality leaves quite a lot to be desired.

However, it's great to look at, great to sit in, and even better to drive. Plus, the ability to drop the roof means you get to experience the Mini's joyful handling alongside the thrill of open-air motoring.