2002 BMW Mini Cooper review from UK and Ireland

Power steering failed at a roundabout (this could have been nasty)

Airbag warning lights (twice)

Boot refused to open (intermittent problem, not resolved by replacement of boot mechanism). This usually happened when the boot was full of shopping etc..

The Mini is a lovely, fun car to drive, and in fact we've just bought another one on moving to Italy.

Build quality is generally high, although there seem to be some electrical problems that need ironing out.

One thing that has happened on both cars we've owned is that the windscreen seems to be a magnet for stone chips. The first car needed the windscreen repaired, and the new one a replacement screen following stone damage on the motorway. I get the feeling that it's upright position means the screen takes the full force of the stone rather than deflecting it.

I'd say that if someone of average or above height is driving then the car is a 3-seater, as there's not much room in the back unless the front seats are moved forward.

We bought a high spec model in 2002 for around 15000 pounds and sold it with 30K miles for 12000 pounds after almost 2 years. Not bad!

The fact we've just got another one says it all though, a great car.