Top 5 used convertibles UK: Bag a used soft-top for spring including a 52K mile Mazda MX5 for just £79 a month

SPRING is the perfect time to bag a convertible car bargain. Sellers are itching for the cash, but cost and competition haven’t (yet) started to rise as they do in summer.

When buying a convertible, you’ll want to do some research to find the right make, model and specification before making a purchase.

In this guide, we’re going to explain why March (and spring in general) is the best time to buy a convertible car.

Sun Motors experts have also selected their top 5 used convertibles for sale today, including two-seater and four-seater convertibles and super sporty models.

It’s top-down and shades on for our round-up of the best used convertible cars in the UK today.

Why is March a good time to buy a used car?

March (and spring in general) is the best time to buy a used convertible car. Why? The age-old rules of supply and demand.

The market for convertible cars hibernates during the winter, as drivers and dealers forget the sun and focus on surviving wind, rain, ice, and snow.

Convertibles are designed for fair weather. By March, we’ve banished the winter blues and things are beginning to heat up – including the market for convertibles.

Dealers start to rotate stock, but demand isn’t at the peak of summer. March convertible car buyers face less competition – which means better deals.

As we head into summer, market forces take over. As demand for convertible cars increases (reaching a peak during the summer), dealers respond by putting up their prices.

What is a convertible car?

A convertible car is a car that can be driven without a roof. Most convertibles will have a roof that can be secured in place, converting it back into a car with a roof. (Hence the name.)

On the market, you’ll find two types of convertibles: soft tops and hard tops.

What is the difference between soft-top and hard-top convertibles?

Soft tops have a roof (made from canvas, cloth, vinyl or another material) that can fold up or down. Hard-top convertibles have a solid roof that folds down.

Model: Audi TT

There are advantages and disadvantages of each. Soft top convertibles can be cheaper to buy and often easier to maintain.

On the other hand, soft roofs are more likely to degrade over time, are easier to damage, and won’t be as warm as a hard top.

Hard tops are more durable, warmer (because of greater insulation) and more secure. However, they can be more expensive to buy, maintain and fix if they break.

Benefits of a convertible car

There’s really only one reason you’d buy a convertible car, and that’s because you want to experience the fun and freedom of driving without a roof. If you haven’t tried it before, you should.

Convertible cars are often sportier and more stylish than their hard-top cousins.

Drive a convertible, and you’re making a statement. (Especially if you forget to put the roof up and it rains.)

Convertible cars are more expensive, but they can hold their value better, too.

Top 5 used convertible cars for sale

Here is Sun Motors' choice of the five best used-convertibles for sale in the UK today.

Mazda MX-5

Model: Mazda MX-5

Affordable, reliable and the world’s best-selling roadster. You knew it would be the Mazda MX-5, didn’t you?

Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has become a firm favourite, with the latest model still getting rave reviews.

An abundance of MX-5s on the market keeps prices low. Insurance and maintenance costs won’t break the bank – especially when compared to some of the other brands on our list (we’re looking at you, Mercedes).

Check out the WhatCar? guide on potential problems for your Mazda MX-5. (And always check the roof!)

Shop around for the best deals, like this low-mileage 2016 SKYACTIV-G Sportmodel at less than £275 per month.

Audi TT Convertible

Model: Audi TT

Another best-selling classic, the Audi TT convertible, is no longer in production, which makes us sad. It’s slightly bigger than the Mazda MX-5 and is highly reliable, says WhatCar?.

Common problems include water leaks, faulty roof mechanisms and issues with the interior trim.

Sporty models like S and RS could have been driven hard, and damage to panels, paintwork, and alloys could all be expensive to fix.

Find a good Audi TT convertible and you’ll get years of stress-free motoring in a modern classic. Check out this almost spotless 10-year-old AUDI TT Coupe 2.0 TDI ultra Sport in impressive (and easy to keep clean) gun metal grey.

MINI convertible

Model: Mini Cooper S Class

The MINI convertible is small but strangely spacious, with enough room for four people, says Autoexpress.

While you’re not going to be running around with a rugby team, the MINI convertible is a practical, fun and attractive car.

We like the 2016 model with its bullet-proof, BMW-approved, 3-cylinder 1.5-litre engine. It’s fast enough for country lanes and forgiving for stop-start city driving.

You’ll often pay a premium for the MINI badge, but they retain value well, so buy with confidence.

Our choice? The market for MINIs is vibrant so it’s hard to select one, but we like this 2022 Mini Cooper S Class, available at a pretty amazing £330 per month.

Mercedes SLK

Model: Mercedes SLK

The Mercedes SLK is sharper, faster and more comfortable than many of the other convertibles here.

It’s a great grand tourer, capable of taking you, a passenger and a few small cases pretty much anywhere you want to go. Pick up an SLK55, and you’ll reach 60mph in 4.6 seconds. Ouch.

The hardtop roof goes up and down with German precision. Check everything is working, as replacements can be very costly.

One thing to mention is that automatics are standard here, while manual cars are rare. Car reviewers seem to favour the SLK 200, which is a great car.

Used SLKs are affordable, with this jet black 2016 Mercedes 2.1 SLK250d at just £280 a month.

BMW Z4

Model: BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 Roadster features a unique long bonnet design with an awesome BMW grill.

Modern models are monsters, but we prefer the older – and more affordable – 2013-2017 Z4s.

Why? They look great, perform well and feature a reliable metal folding roof. Find one with a full-service history, and it’s a good buy (especially when you see rising prices for older Z3s.)

The BMW Z4 is a classic two-seat, big engine, small boot roadster, and we love it for that. It doesn’t take long to find bargain BMWs out there. We like this 2016 M-Sport model

Best 4-seater convertible cars

Need to carry you, your partner and the kids? Get a four-door convertible. Here are a couple of our favourites:

The Mercedes C Class isn’t particularly roomy, but you’ll get four in at a push. And they will all want to get into this superbly-specced AMG-Line, 2.1 litre Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Model: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Another shout-out for the Germans, the BMW 4 Series Convertible is our second favourite four-door convertible.

Current models are all well and good, but we love the classic BMW grill on this superb silver 2016 BMW 4 SERIES 2.0 420d M Sport.

Best sports car convertibles

Here are a couple of our favourite all-out sports convertibles:

The Porsche Boxster is a fast and cool mid-engine sportscar that’s incredible to drive.

Model: Porsche Boxster

Our choice on the market today is this immaculate 2015 Boxster with an excellent 2.7l engine.

Model: Elise Convertible

The Lotus Elise is a small, lightweight and blisteringly fast British-designed sportscar. This canary yellow 2021 Special Edition Lotus Elise convertible is all kinds of crazy, in a good way.

Convertible car buying FAQs

Here, we answer some common questions convertible car buyers have.

What to look out for when buying a used convertible

When buying a used convertible, you’ll want to make sure that the roof itself is clean, the mechanism functions correctly (goes up and down as it should,) and there are no splits, tears, or damage.

Ask the seller about the age of the roof (if it’s a soft top) and if the roof has been repaired or replaced.

If you’re considering buying a soft-top convertible, get on a stool, chair, or stepladder and check over the whole roof of the car. Tears and splits can (and sometimes are) covered with tape, which can be impossible to spot unless you get up close.

If you’re happy the roof goes up and down as it should and isn’t damaged, then you can check all the other essentials, including condition, damage, service history, MOT records, mileage, etc.

How to clean a convertible roof

If you have a hardtop roof, you can clean it in the same way you would clean the rest of your car.

Soft-top convertible roofs should be cleaned using a specialist cleaning product. These will help to remove any first and stains (including corrosive substances like bird poo) but won’t dry out the material, which could cause it to become brittle and split or break.

Take your time, follow the instructions, and you’ll be fine. Always check for water ingress into the car after washing your convertible car. Early warning enables immediate action!

How to look after a convertible

Convertible cars should be serviced and maintained in the same way you would any other car.

If your car has a soft roof, you should regularly clean it (see above) and apply a protectant. This guide from detailing experts Autoglym is a good place to start. Over time, the soft top covering can wear out or dry out, leaving it susceptible to rips, tears and other damage.

You can protect it by storing it in a garage or under a cover, especially during the worst of the winter weather. Any soft-top convertible car left exposed to the elements for too long will become damaged.