Used car of the week: Mini One
* Fun and iconic hatchback * Prices start from less than £4k * Real-world examples...
The third-generation Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works has been unveiled ahead of the Detroit motor show in January, with prices starting from around £22,500 for the most powerful Mini ever produced.
The new JCW is Mini’s latest offering, but our used car of the week is the Mini One from 2007. It’s fun, stylish, and a used model can be yours for less than £4k.
Ideal Model Mini One 1.6 One 3dr
Prices from £3800
Why should I buy a used Mini?
The Mini is fantastic to drive and effortlessly cool. The One retains the good points of the iconic older Minis and improves on its predecessors’ shortcomings.
Its desirable image means that it has strong resale values, so you can buy a used model knowing that you’ll be able to recoup a good fee should you sell it on.
Which model should I choose?
Our favourite engine in the lineup is the 1.6-litre petrol engine but if you’re after a more economical option there’s a 1.6-litre diesel available, although they're rare on the used car market.
Entry-level One trim has the essentials like CD player, electric windows and mirrors, and remote central locking. Lots of models on the used market also come with alloys.
There are plenty of used Ones with the Pepper Pack, which adds Bluetooth and USB as well as some more luxurious aesthetic touches, but bumps the price up considerably.
There are plenty of optional extras that can be added, so be sure to look at exactly what comes with the One you’re looking at.
How much should I pay?
Prices for the earliest cars start at around £4k, but a budget of £8300 will get you the 1.6 One with around 50,000 miles on the clock from 2011.
Bumping the budget up to more than £10,000 can get a two-year-old 1.6 One that’s covered 10,000 miles.
Prices start around £9000 for Pepper Pack Ones (from 2009 models).
What problems should I look out for?
Gearbox failures have been reported, as have expensive clutch repairs.
Check the engine stop-start system works well because there have been some reports of it causing the car to stall.
Head to our approved used car section to find more Ones.
