AUGUST was the wettest month on record, but the weather did not douse the British passion for open-top driving as 35% of MINIs sold last month were Convertibles.

More than 150mm of rain fell on England and Wales last month, making it the wettest August in almost a century according to the Met Office, with some areas recording up to 350% of their average rainfall.

A spokeswoman for MINI said: ‘Wet weather can be a curse when it comes to convertible sales, but the fact that the MINI performed so strongly underlines the car’s enormous desirability.

September’s forecast of an Indian summer is good news though, as it will give MINI Convertible drivers the chance to get the roof down.’