Buying a Used Mini - advice?

[Mini Ali]

Have been thinking of getting a mini now for a few months, after some problems in the past few months (mostly due to someone putting a dent in our car and not informing us about it which lowered the trade in value of the car). Anyway this means no new mini unless luck changes and I win the lotto

Decided on trying to pick up a fairly newish used mini, have been checking the mini cherished site and have found 3-4 ones at local dealers which seem suitable.

I was just looking for some advice from mini owners and also from those who have bought second hand cars from dealers.

What should I be checking out on the car?

I know the basics to look for like

• damage to body work
• wheels and tyres
• that all stated equipment is there
• full service and repair history
• spare wheel there or not
• that it actually drives well :-)
• seatbelts and other safety equipment

Is it possible to get the price lowered much or get a better trade in on a used car?
Anything to watch out for?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions.

[fergusor]

Hi Mini Ali.

I started looking for a used MINI back in March through MINI Cherished... but then decided it would be more cost effective to buy a new one for not much more money.

I was looking to spend about £10,000 on a used One. I could only find a few though in my price range so spoke to the dealer and he suggested going for new. The base One is (was, not sure about the 2005 model) £10,505 and to spec it up to my spec was a few thousand more.

But the benefits are it'll be worth more in 3 years time when I come to sell it and it has the full 3 year warranty.

May be worth thinking about

Richard.

[KenL]

You could try & sell your car privately and then buy a MINI privately. This way you are likely to get more for your car and save £500-£1000 on the one you buy. A car bought privately would still have the full manufacturer's warranty so even if it developed a fault it should be covered.

[Rob.]

I don't know what type of mini you had in mind but have a look at mine which is currently for sale
Click the for sale link in my signiture
General advice though. Used mini's from dealers still seem really expensive. If you find a good one privately with the spec you want you will probably save at least 10% over dealer prices and as long as it still has warranty you have no worries

[dietcokeplease]

Check the windscreen for stone chips as MINIs are prone to damage due to the upright screen. Also ensure that the MINI has the balance of TLC (vouchers) - there will always be some eejit who bought without.

[No Golf Clubs at all]

Check for windscreen chips, dings on the doors and side panels, kerbed alloys that kind of thing.

get as good a spec as you can, probably worthwhile going for one with chilli.

Mine might be for sale in the next 3 weeks, cr/w with bonnet stripes, ac and 17" s-spokes, runflats, 4.5k miles. Not sure what to ask yet though.

[KenL]

My ONE will be for sale in ~1 month

[Mini Ali]

Nice looking car, but my mother has her heart set on an indi blue One and she has seen a few that catch her eye. Hopefully this weekend (after a few months of thought and various decisions) will be the weekend we finally purchase one.

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Ali

Nice looking car, but my mother has her heart set on an indi blue One and she has seen a few that catch her eye. Hopefully this weekend (after a few months of thought and various decisions) will be the weekend we finally purchase one.

good luck Ali - hope your mum likes her new car