Name: Austin Mini Review
Item: Austin Mini
Author: Gumtree.com

First launched in 1959 and built until the brand was sold to BMW in 2000, the Austin Mini is one of the most popular cars of all time in the UK. This retro-styled little petrol car is fun to drive, fairly easy to maintain and will give you lots of options if you’re looking to join a car club. The classic Mini is what we might now call a hatchback, but there are saloons, estate versions and even a few rare cabriolets with the marque. Most collectables are 1960s versions, though models from the 1970s-90s are just as much of a laugh and often a bit easier to keep running. Many classic minis are in need of serious work to get or keep them running, so make a great project car if you’ve got the time, interest and resources for it.

Have a look at the Austin Mini model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Austin Mini

This iconic little car is still a staple of British culture, even if some TLC is required to keep one going these days.

Pros

Cute and classic looks that’ll turn heads

Spare parts are easy to get hold of

Great fun to drive

Cons

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Can take a lot of work to restore or keep on the road

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Not built to modern safety standards

The original 1959 Austin Mini seats four, has two doors and can achieve up to 40 mpg in ideal conditions. It was in production for 41 years, so there are quite a few different versions out there, though all are similar in size and have petrol engines.

Driving performance of the Austin Mini

Our Driving Rating6 / 10

Travelling anywhere in an old car has to happen at old car speeds. All classic Minis have small engines by today’s standards, so they will struggle with hills and motorway overtakes, especially if fully laden. However, this only gives you more time to enjoy the journey and for others to gawk at your classic car.

Pre-1968 models don’t have a synchromesh gearbox, so you’ll need to practise the art of double-unclutching in order to make smooth gear changes – most owners pick this up pretty quickly. Original Minis also have a rubber-cone suspension system that’s easy to maintain, while models from the 1970s onwards use an equally fixable hydrolastic system. Just keep in mind that neither offers a terribly comfortable ride by modern standards. The Austin Mini has barely any body roll and offers impressive steering, and as long as you don’t want to go too fast, it’s highly enjoyable to drive or travel in.

Safety and reliability of the Austin Mini

Our Safety Rating4 / 10

There’s no Euro NCAP safety rating for pre-2000 Minis and most are not built to modern safety standards. Check that any model you’re considering is fitted with airbags, as these provide much-needed protection in the event of a crash. Austin Minis are also notorious for rusting, so it’s a good idea to take a look at all its pillars, mounting points and floor pan as these are common spots for the rust to take hold. It’s important to keep on top of rust as it’s also a safety issue – in the event of a crash, a rusty Mini could simply fall to bits. As with most classic cars, lots of love and care is required to keep them running, and high levels of reliability are tricky to achieve.

Under the bonnet of the Austin Mini

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

Inside the Mini 850 Mk1 (the original model), you’ll find an 848 cc four-cylinder petrol engine that’s capable of outputting up to 34 bhp. Its top speed is a nippy 75 mph and it’ll do 0-60 in a leisurely 29.7 seconds. Slightly later (and more commonly available) models have a 998 cc engine that can offer a much more powerful 55 bhp and reach a top speed of 90, with a 0-60 time of 17 seconds. Whichever option you go for, motorway journeys could feel very long indeed.

The A-series engines found in most classic Minis are incredibly durable and easy to fix. Find one that’s been well-serviced and it should only need major work every 100,000 miles or so. The four-speed manual gearbox should be good for a similar number of miles, provided the oil has been changed every 3000 miles. A three-speed automatic transmission is also available on models built after 1965 but is much less common.

What you'll find in the Austin Mini

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Designed by Alec Issigonis, original Minis are instantly recognisable and almost universally loved for their retro charm. There are many special edition models out there and a huge range of original paint colours, depending on the exact model and launch year. Bear in mind that any Mini you’re looking at may have been repainted several times or otherwise customised in some way, so it’s worth chatting to the seller to find out more.

The only difference between an Austin Mini and a Morris Mini is the maker’s badge – it might be worth checking whether these have been swapped at any point, as is sometimes the case for show cars. Another key area to double-check is the wheels. It’s fine to replace the original wheels if necessary, but the new ones shouldn’t be over six inches wide as this could damage the bodywork and put extra strain on the bearings.

Comfort and interiors in the Austin Mini

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

When you’re in the driver’s seat, you’ll notice the original Minis have a driving position that’s very upright and close to the wheel. It’s quite comfortable once you’re used to it, and the interior is a pleasant place to be for passengers too – original Minis can carry up to four adults, and many later models have seats for five. The cabin feels uncluttered and charming, and front passengers will notice it seems particularly spacious thanks to the large windscreen and gently curving dashboard. Boot space is limited, but this is unlikely to be a huge problem, as you’ll find a heavily laden Mini struggles to get up to speed anyway.

What features you'll find in the Austin Mini

Our Features Rating4 / 10

Thanks to its charming retro design and overall age, you’re unlikely to find many fancy features in any classic Mini. Even power steering doesn’t make an appearance in any of the pre-2000 models, let alone infotainment systems. The major positive here is that no electronics means that the wiring in your Mini should be easy to fix thanks to its simple layout.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Austin Mini

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

Given the era in which it was designed, the original 848 cc-engined Mini’s efficiency rating of 40 mpg isn’t bad at all. Weighing in at 650kg, these little cars were – and still are – an affordable way to travel. It’s worth noting that most classic Minis are unlikely to have a catalytic converter fitted. In practice, this means their carbon dioxide emissions are lower than expected, although their exhaust gases contain a bigger proportion of other greenhouse gases. The only impact this might have is if you’re buying one as a company car. Even if that is the case, the taxes are unlikely to be too out of control.

Running costs of the Austin Mini

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Most classic Minis fall into insurance groups 2-6, with some of the larger or special edition models coming up a little more expensive at the broker. When you’re buying a classic Mini, take a good look at what shape it’s in, as bodged repairs can be tricky to sort out and some models may actually be fakes. Problems are usually simple to diagnose and repair yourself, with cheap spare parts that are easy to get hold of. It’s also worth knowing how much work a Mini needs going in, as repair costs can start to spiral. As with many classic cars, an original or older Mini is likely to need ongoing maintenance to keep it on the road.

Our verdict of the Austin Mini

3.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

These days, the Austin Mini is a classic car that makes a great restoration project or collector's item, provided you've got plenty of time and love to put into it.

Austin Mini Review