Used MINI one r50 review and buying guide (2001 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used MINI One R50 should you buy?

The safer MINI One R50 is one built after 2002, because by 2007 the transmissions on 2001 and 2002 MINIs were failing in growing numbers. Those early cars also needed a recall to modify the gearchange cable so the box didn't stick in gear, which makes the build year the first thing to check on any advert.

That doesn't make a later car a safe bet on its gearbox. Failures of the manual gearbox after 3 to 5 years are common on the R50, so any car needs a careful listen for noises and a feel of the change quality on the test drive. The 2004 facelift brought a new Getrag five-speed, and you shouldn't assume that box can't fail either.

The early cars also carry more of the other faults. The first MINI Ones could pull to the nearside because of an early type of front strut, early door check straps rust if nobody greases them, and the ABS pump wiring on early cars can short out against its bracket. A batch of CD players that stayed on with the ignition off flattened batteries, and a 2002 recall replaced them.

Which MINI One R50 engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

There's only one engine to weigh up: the One uses an 8-valve 1.6 petrol, so the choice comes down to the gearbox and the car's condition. Keep any R50 out of floodwater, since several MINIs have hydraulicked after swallowing shallow water, and the low-slung catalytic converter can trap grass and dirt against its heat shield if it's driven off the tarmac.

Avoid a 2001 or 2002 car, because gearbox failures on those years were climbing by 2007, and a recall on early Ones had to modify the gearchange cable to stop the box sticking in gear. The 2004 facelift brought a new Getrag five-speed, but don't treat it as a cure: failures of the manual gearbox after 3 to 5 years are common on the R50, so listen for noises and feel how cleanly it changes on any car.

On the engine itself, the cooling system is the part that gives trouble. Radiators can corrode once a car's past 3 years old, and by one owner's account thermostat housings have failed on R50 engines too. Look under the bonnet for coolant stains or a low level in the expansion tank, and watch that the temperature gauge stays put on the test drive.

What should you check when viewing a used MINI One R50?

The power steering is the first thing to test, because its electric pump motor can pack up and overheat, sometimes damaging the wiring loom as it goes. Turn the wheel from lock to lock with the engine running and listen for whining; early cars get noisy when failed seals let the fluid run low. A noise from the steering column means its upper bearing has worn, and steering columns have been reported failing too.

On the drive, long travel on the brake pedal or the handbrake lever points to a failed rear caliper. A car that pulls to the left can have the early front struts, or front suspension turrets that have been pushed upwards and need repairing on a jig. ABS, ASC or handbrake warning lights that stay on, or a speedo and rev counter that cut out, can mean the ABS pump wiring on an early car has shorted, which has led to smoke and fire.

Get underneath to look at the fuel tank retaining straps, which rust through at 7 to 8 years, and the rear silencer, which rots from inside and leaves rust specks on the back of the car. Check the bottom nearside corner of the windscreen for cracks. Ask for paperwork showing the 2002 recalls were done: one for the handbrake lever slipping off its ratchet, and one for the gearchange cable that let the box stick in gear.

An airbag warning light on these cars has come from a loose wiring loom under the seat. Try the central locking on every door, since it's had electrical glitches, and run the air con if it's fitted: a gurgle means an airlock in the refrigerant that's hard to clear. Look at the paint at the back of light-coloured cars too, as exhaust fumes have marked it, and watch for ABS or ASC warnings, since those modules have started failing after 3 to 4 years.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used MINI one r50 cost to run?

What do MINI One R50 owners like about them?

It's a cracking car to sit in. The dials and switches have a retro look that gives the cabin character, the seats are good, the steering column adjusts, and the driving position faces straight ahead, so you're not sat at an angle to the pedals.

Driving it is the real draw, and it's huge fun, the sort of car you'll go out of your way to drive for the sake of it. In the right colour it's a car people really want, so hold out for a shade you love rather than settling for the first one you find on the forecourt.

• The Mini One offers a comfortable interior with retro dials, good seats, and an adjustable steering column.
• The Mini One is highly recommended as a fun car to drive.
• A minor facelift in July 2004 included a new Getrag 5-speed transmission, improving mid-range flexibility.
• The Mini One cabin features retro dials, switchgear, comfortable seats, and an adjustable steering column.
• The Mini One achieved an excellent four-star rating for crash safety in the 2002 NCAP tests.