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Which used MINI Clubman should you buy?

If you’ve had your eye on a MINI Hatchback, but have been put off by its compromised practicality, the MINI Clubman is well worth considering.

In comparison with its predecessor, the second-generation MINI Clubman was a more flexible option for ferrying passengers around, with a pair of full-size rear doors rather than one small rear door on the car’s left-hand side.

Not every quirk from the previous MINI Clubman was ironed out, though: at the back there is a pair of side-hinged doors, rather than a roof-hinged tailgate, which makes loading a bit tricky in tight parking spots.

You’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re after a petrol-powered MINI Clubman, as these examples are by far the most commonly available.

If you do lots of motorway driving or need a car with decent low-down torque for towing, the diesel models may make more sense, although they’re nowhere near as common in the classifieds.

Also bear in mind that MINIs tend to have fairly strong resale values, so finding a used MINI Clubman in a desirable, sought-after spec on a particularly tight budget may be tricky. 

Read our full MINI Clubman review

 

What used MINI Clubman trim levels are available?

Specification-wise, most MINI Clubman models came when new with broadly similar amounts of equipment as standard – especially early cars, which weren’t offered with any trim levels to speak of.

However, like other MINIs, the Clubman has been offered with lots of optional extras. As a result, keep a look out for the spec on the car you’re considering if you’re after a particular feature, as the equipment levels can vary considerably from car to car.

MINI Clubman One / One D

When the MINI Clubman first went on sale in 2015, it technically didn’t have any trim levels: instead, each engine counted as its own separate model. During this stage of the Clubman’s production run, the de-facto entry-level cars were the MINI Clubman One and MINI Clubman One D – the former using a 103PS 1.5-litre petrol engine, and the latter being powered by a 118PS 1.5-litre diesel.

  • Cruise control
  • Air-conditioning
  • Digital radio
  • Front foglights
  • Automatic windscreen wipers

MINI Clubman Cooper / Cooper D

Until dedicated trim levels were introduced in 2018, the MINI Clubman Cooper models weren’t too different equipment-wise to the MINI Clubman One cars. The main differences could be found under their respective bonnets. The MINI Clubman Cooper came with a 138PS 1.5-litre petrol, and a 152PS 2.0-litre diesel for the MINI Clubman Cooper D. Equipment included:

  • Cruise control
  • Bluetooth
  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Automatic wipers
  • Sat-nav

MINI Clubman Cooper S / Cooper SD

If you wanted to marry the MINI Clubman’s sporty handling with peppy performance, then the MINI Clubman Cooper S and MINI Clubman Cooper SD models were the way to go. Thanks to their punchy 2.0-litre engines (195PS in the MINI Clubman Cooper S; 193PS in the MINI Clubman Cooper SD), they have a brisk turn of speed. All-wheel drive was offered as an optional extra.

  • Air-conditioning
  • Cruise control
  • Heated wing mirrors
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Sports seats
  • Centrally-mounted exhaust pipes

MINI Clubman Classic

In 2018, the second-generation MINI Clubman range was shaken up with the introduction of trim levels. Base spec was the MINI Clubman Classic trim, which was offered on all models bar the flagship MINI Clubman John Cooper Works car.  

  • Alloy wheels
  • Bluetooth
  • 6.5-inch centre console display
  • Sat-nav
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic headlights
  • Automatic windscreen wipers

MINI Clubman Sport

As its name suggests, the MINI Clubman Sport trim came with a few racy visual flourishes over the entry-level Classic trim. 

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Roof spoiler
  • Redesigned front and rear bumpers
  • John Cooper Works-style steering wheel

MINI Clubman Exclusive

The MINI Clubman Exclusive spec was the most upmarket trim, and aimed to make the car feel a bit more luxurious inside than the less-expensive models. 

  • Leather upholstery
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Chrome detailing
  • 18-inch alloy wheels

MINI Clubman John Cooper Works

Sitting at the top of the range is the feisty MINI Clubman John Cooper Works model. The highlight of this version is the punchy 310PS 2.0-litre petrol engine and the performance it brings, although MINI did give the flagship more than just lots of power, as the list below details.

  • Stiffer suspension
  • Bigger brakes
  • New exhaust system
  • Differential
  • Heated front seats
  • Automatic air-conditioning
  • Reversing camera
  • Front and rear parking sensors

 

Is a used MINI Clubman a good buy?

The MINI Clubman takes many of the qualities that make the regular MINI Hatchback so appealing, and puts them into a more versatile car.

The big appeal of the MINI Clubman is the fact it has a much larger boot than a regular MINI Hatchback.

Whereas the standard hatch has a tiny luggage volume of 211 litres, the MINI Clubman is far more spacious at 360 litres, which is more than many small cars and not too far off what some family hatchbacks are capable of.

That’s enough to persuade many used buyers.