Name: Mini Convertible (2016 to 2024) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mini Convertible
Rating: 69.0

Summary

The Mini Convertible was a small cabriolet based on the three-door Mini hatch. This model is the third generation of the resurrected Mini, launched in early 2016 and facelifted a couple of times, most recently in early 2021. The Convertible has now been removed from sale as the new fourth-generation hatch range is now available in the UK.

Unlike the Mini hatch, which is built in the UK, the Convertible was built in the Netherlands. The Mini Convertible range consisted of the Cooper and Cooper S models, which are both covered here, and the high-performance John Cooper Works model, which is not included here.

There were few direct rivals for the Mini Convertible, as other similar-sized four-seater cabriolets had largely disappeared from the marketplace during this Mini’s time on sale. The Mazda MX-5 has similar price and performance, but is a two-seat roadster with even less practicality, while other four-seaters were significantly larger and more expensive.

The Mini Convertible received positive reviews from across the UK motoring media, although the top-spec Cooper S tended to score more poorly than the lower-level models. It was particularly praised for its driving experience and interior quality. The only major criticisms related to its limited practicality and harsh ride on Cooper S models.

No longer in production, the Mini Convertible holds a Used Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 69%. Mini is yet to announce any plans for a new fourth-generation cabriolet version of its popular hatch, which has revived the ‘Cooper’ nameplate.

Mini Convertible highlights

Fun to drive
Impressive interior trim
Sensible running costs
Agile handling
More boot space than regular Mini

Mini Convertible lowlights

Not very practical day-to-day
Rigid ride comfort
Significantly more expensive than regular Mini

Key specifications

Body style: Small convertible
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £25,890 on-road

Launched: Spring 2016
Last updated: Winter 2020/21
Discontinued: 2024

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“Now into its third-generation, and in facelifted format, the current MINI Convertible is easily the best yet. It’s the biggest and most spacious model ever, but it’s also more upmarket and has a terrific range of turbocharged power units that have improved both power and economy.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Mini Convertible is our favourite small rag-top thanks to its practicality, fun and premium feel.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 8 / 10
“Judged on its merits as a small and fun drop-top, the Mini Cooper S Convertible hits the sweet spot. It boasts an excellent blend of performance and value. This isn’t the particular Mini Convertible we’d choose, however – the regular Cooper version serves up very nearly as much fun, is more affordable and is cheaper to run. It’s where our money would go.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Cooper
Score: 8 / 10
“Part of the fun of a convertible is hearing the engine noise a little more, but the Cooper is a little disappointing here. Since the Cooper S can sound a bit over-the-top with its poppy exhaust, we had high hopes for the thrumming three-cylinder, but it’s very quiet and is drowned out by wind noise. The fluttering turbo wastegate when you lift off is fun, though.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Cooper S
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s quiet on the move with the roof up and, should the weather change, the canvas top can be lowered at speeds of less than 18mph. Do that and you can check how long you’ve had the roof down in the infotainment system with a counter than measures the number of hours the roof has been lowered – should you really want to.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mini Convertible delivers everything a soft-top buyer could want. It’s stylish and bursting with personality, has a classy cabin and cool tech features. It’s also one of the cheapest drop-tops around, and great fun to drive.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“A zippy, alert-feeling, intelligently equipped three-door Cooper S has long been Autocar’s nominated sweet spot in the Mini range, but the updated Mini Convertible is proof that a cabrio can be just as sweet in its own summer-enriching, life-affirming way.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Cooper S
Score: 7 / 10
“If a droptop car that’s fun to drive is what you’re after, there are very few reasons not to buy one. With the twin-clutch gearbox, the Mini Cooper S Convertible certainly isn’t cheap – you’ll pick up a top spec Mazda MX-5 for the same money – but to call it poor value for money would be a stretch.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s much to like about the Mini Convertible, but one critical downside of the Cooper S is the poor ride quality and the tremors you feel from the topless body. It adds a harshness to the low-speed driving experience that simply feels unnecessary.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Although it may not be quite as refined or as go-kart-like to drive as the Hatch, the Mini Convertible still manages to be a decent car to drive – especially those wanting a city car to use with the roof down.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“This Mini Convertible is the best yet, delivering the driving fun and style of the hatchback with the added thrill of top-down motoring.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mini Convertible takes the standard hard-top’s plush cabin and adds infinite headroom – with the roof down, anyway – but sadly it’s even less practical and quite a lot more expensive…”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Drop-top image may not be to all tastes, but Mini’s latest convertible is as good to drive as the hatch.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“There will be many occasions when you’ll be overjoyed you chose the Mini Convertible over the regular tin-top version. Crucially, there will be few occasions when you regret the decision. It’s good with the roof up and great with the roof down, with space for four and an image that’s a match for cars costing twice as much.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want real fun then a Mazda MX-5 is a better choice of soft top, but the Mini Convertible is a more practical choice that’s still enjoyable. It’s a true convertible, too, unlike the Fiat 500C and the DS 3 Cabriolet, plus there are dozens of customisation options and details to make it your own. “
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“All in all, the little Mini can get seriously expensive but even then, it’s hard not to recommend it over its opposition. Only a Mazda MX-5 beats the MINI for thrills behind the wheel but since that car is strictly two-seater most will rule it out on practicality grounds alone.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Mini Convertible is one of a few four-seat cars with a proper folding soft-top, unlike its glorified-sunroofed rivals from Fiat and DS. By no means is it a proper four-seater, but it does feel every inch the Mini with a darty driving experience that hasn’t become too compromised in losing its roof.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Cooper
Score: 8 / 10
“Feel the joy of the wind playing havoc with your hair”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 6 / 10
“Can feel a bit wobbly over harsh surfaces, and while the boot is bigger than before access is still tricky. Great fun on a smooth road, though, and with more than enough style to appeal to its target audience.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
“When the roof’s open, it’s a bit of a rucksack on the car’s tail, which reduces the rear-view mirror to nothing more than an ornament. But air-flow management is fine: at motorway speeds there’s not much buffeting, at least in the front seats. That’s even without the wind blocker net.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mini Convertible isn’t as rewarding to drive as its hatchback sibling, but its open-air exuberance makes up for that fact. You also get a terrific interior and sensible running costs, while strong residuals mean you can buy with your head as well as your heart.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

No longer on sale, the Mini Convertible has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

The three-door Mini hatch was tested back in 2014 and scored a four-star rating, but this score does not apply to the Mini Convertible as the vehicle structure has been significantly altered by removing the roof.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol automatic

Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.6 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.8 / 10

The Mini Convertible has not been tested by Green NCAP. However, its economy and emissions will be broadly similar to the Mini hatch.

The Mini Cooper 1.5-litre petrol automatic hatch received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. We are currently updating our Euro NCAP database, as the organisation changed its rating system and we need to change our database accordingly to be able to display the new scores.

Green NCAP said: “The Mini hatch is tested here in its latest form and with the three-cylinder turbocharged 1.5 litre petrol engine. The car has a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and a three-way catalyst and, on the whole, these work well to curb pollutant emissions.

“NO_x is especially well controlled in all tests and the GPF helps to keep particulate number down. Ammonia, NH₃, is the weak point and in the high-load highway test emissions of this unregulated greenhouse gas are high enough to negate the positive scores gained for the good control of other pollutants. Energy efficiency is unexceptional. N₂O and CH₄ are well controlled but emissions of CO₂ result in modest scores in the tests.

“Overall, the car’s indexes are consistent in all three areas of assessment and lead to a 2½ star rating.

This rating only applies to the 1.5-litre petrol automatic version of the Mini hatch, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 60
Average repair cost: £435.10
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mini Convertible is higher than average in its reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This applies to all three generations of the Mini Convertible, not just the current model. This is worth bearing in mind if you are planning to buy a used car.

The good news is that the most common problems are relatively inexpensive, according to the claims data. The most expensive problems – gearbox issues, shown in red – can be crippingly expensive with an average repair cost of £2,600, but fortunately they are rare.

In terms of owner surveys, the Mini Convertible ranked top in the coupé/convertible/sports car class in the 2022 What Car? reliability survey.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	44 mpg	C	41 – 47 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	140 g/km	B	134 – 154 g/km	A – B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	25	B	21 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£173	A
Year 2	£473	A
Year 3	£751	A
Year 4	£1,005	A
Year 5	£1,334	A
Overall	£3,736	A

The Mini Convertible is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is only average, which is disappointing for a small car. However, the news is much better for other costs. Servicing over the first five years should be excellent, while insurance premiums should also be very good – although with quite a wide variation, depending on which model you choose.