Used buyer's guide: MINI Convertible

How much?

The earliest 2004 examples of the MINI One Convertible change hands for a little under £4,000. If you want a Cooper, you’ll have to pay at least £4,500, with one of the sportier Cooper S models costing £5,000-plus.

Buyers with an £8,000 budget can get their hands on a 57-plate One or Cooper, or a 56-reg Cooper S – and Coopers with a CVT gearbox carry a £300 premium over equivalent manual cars. An automatic Cooper S will cost £400 more than a manual. Salt packs add £150-£300; cars with Pepper and Chili packs cost £300-£500 extra.

Running costs

All first-generation MINIs have variable servicing that allows up to two years between check-ups. This schedule typically means a service is required every 16,000 miles or so, although more than this is possible. You’ll pay £224-£299 for each check, and because the car’s engines are all chain-driven, there are no expensive cambelt replacements to worry about.

On top of these service costs, you can expect to pay £50 every two years to replace the brake fluid, while fresh coolant is needed every four years, at £62 each time. The air-con should be checked every service; if it needs to be recharged, expect to pay around £80.