Used BMW 1 Series 2019-present review

What's the used BMW 1 Series like?

Conformity can help sell cars. And this could well be why BMW ditched the rear-wheel-drive layout that made the old 2011-2019 BMW 1 Series unique in favour of a tried and trusted front-wheel-drive layout that yields more passenger space.

Did it work? Yes, it did. This latest BMW 1 Series is a family car that's as competent as ever and a few more examples sold means that used car buyers have a greater pool to pick from.

Overview

This generation of the BMW 1 Series is good to drive, practical, reliable and affordable, making it a really desirable used choice. It also has a fabulous interior, with a high-quality feel and an intuitive infotainment system. Pre-facelift cars make the most sense.

Pros

• Superb build quality
• Class-leading infotainment system
• Good rear seat space

Cons

• Road noise at speed
• Mercedes A-Class has a higher safety rating
• SE model isn't as well-equipped as rivals

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BMW 1 Series

2.0 118d M Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,621

BMW 1 Series

1.5 118i SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,950

BMW 1 Series

1.5 116d SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,999

BMW 1 Series

1.5 116d SE (LCP) Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,000

BMW 1 Series

2.0 118d Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

BMW 1 SERIES

1.5 118i SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

BMW 1 SERIES

1.5 116d SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

BMW 1 Series

1.5 116d SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,894

BMW 1 Series

2.0 118d Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,989

See all available cars

Engines and performance: The underpinnings for this 1 Series are shared with the Mini hatchback, so it's no surprise that the range of engines on offer is similar as well. There are three petrol engines, starting with the lovely 138bhp 1.5 in the 118i, then a potent 261bhp 2.0 128ti, and finally a 302bhp 2.0 in the M135i. Diesel fanciers also have three choices with the 113bhp 1.5 116d, 148bhp 2.0 118d or 187bhp 2.0 120d. The top model M135i and 120d have four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard (this auto was also an option on the 118d), with the rest being front-wheel drive with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

Ride and handling: The 1 Series gives a good initial impression of sportiness with quick-reacting steering and low levels of body lean in bends, but grip levels are noticeably lower than rivals such as the Audi A3 or Mercedes A-Class display, and the brakes aren't very progressive either, making smooth stops at traffic lights a challenge. The bigger brakes in the M Sport Pro pack are far better. Road noise is more prevalent than you'll find in the 1 Series's aforementioned rivals, and this is only made worse with bigger wheels.

Interior and practicality: Thankfully, the interior is a step above what you'll find in its rivals. Plusher plastics and an easy-to-operate infotainment system put it well ahead of the A3 and A-Class. Space up front is good too, with lots of head, leg and shoulder room. Rear passengers benefit massively compared with the older 1 Series because there's more space to stretch out and the central tunnel is smaller and affords a bigger area for your feet.

On paper, boot capacity is up on the A-Class and on a par with the A3. However, this measurement includes the void under the false floor, so the usable space above that is reduced.

Trims and equipment: Continuing the pattern of three into the trim choices lets you pick from SE, Sport, or M Sport. SE models have 16in alloys, LED headlights, climate control, front and rear parking sensors and an 8.8in touchscreen infotainment system. Sport models have bigger, 17in wheels and more supportive sports seats in the front, along with dual-zone climate control. M Sport has sharper exterior and interior styling touches plus 18in alloys. These can be upgraded to 19in with the M Sport Plus pack that also adds adaptive suspension to stiffen or soften the ride accordingly.

Facelift: The 1 Series had a big update in 2024. The main changes include revised styling both inside and out, with the interior also gaining a new infotainment system. Unfortunately, BMW removed the physical controls that made the old system so intuitive, so we actually think it's a backwards step.

The engine line-up was slimmed down significantly with the facelift, leaving the 120 and M135 as the sole engine options. Note the lack of the 'i' nomenclature for the petrol engines; BMW decided to drop this for its new models from 2024 onwards to avoid confusion with its 'i' range of electric cars. SE trim was also dropped from the line-up with the update.

"The interior of the pre-facelift 1 Series is seriously plush for a family car. I love how it feels just luxurious as it looks, which can't be said for the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class of the same era." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

If you're interested in finding a used BMW 1 Series, or any of the other family cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Ownership cost

What used BMW 1 Series will I get for my budget?

Pricing for an entry-level BMW 1 Series 118i starts at around £10,000. Spend around £12,000 for a good 2020 or 2021 car and £15,000 for a 2022 model. Newer 2023 and 2024 cars start from around £17,000, while facelift 2024 models cost upwards of £26,000. If you want to get the most potent M135i, have a budget of at least £19,000.

To keep up to date with used prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.

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How much does cost to run a BMW 1 Series?

MPG

There isn't a lot of difference between the 116d and 118d diesel models at 61.4mpg and 60.1mpg, respectively. The 120d is worse at 51.4mpg, but then it's is laden with the added weight of four-wheel drive and an auto 'box.

The 118i petrol is pretty light on the purse strings with 47.1mpg, while the 128ti isn't too shabby at 40.9mpg, given its performance. The worst is the M135i at just 35.3mpg.

Road tax (VED)

Most versions sneak under the £40,000 luxury car tax threshold and avoid the supplementary fee of £425 above the standard yearly flat-rate cost. The current flat-rate fee is £195 a year.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups generally waver around the 20s – this is about average for the type of car. BMW offers fixed price servicing.

Warranty

When new, every 1 Series comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which matches the cover offered by Mercedes and beats Audi’s three-year, 60,000-mile cover.

Safety

The pre-facelift 1 Series was awarded a full five-star safety rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. Under the same conditions, the A-Class scored higher for adult occupant and pedestrian protection in 2018.

Reliability

The BMW 1 Series earned a mixed reliability verdict in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, based on real-world owner feedback.

Many owners said their cars ran fault-free, but others reported persistent issues – particularly with unexplained warning lights and infotainment glitches. Diesel versions were more problem-prone, with diesel particulate filter (DPF) warnings and engine management faults cropping up.

Some problems were sorted swiftly under warranty, yet others proved stubborn, needing repeated dealer visits. Feedback on dealer support varied too, with long waits for parts and slow diagnostics frustrating several owners.

Explore more about the used BMW 1 Series reliability on our dedicated page.

Our recommendations

Which used BMW 1 Series should I buy?

Engine

Unless you cover huge mileages, the regular 118i petrol should suit you just fine. It can be a touch thrummy at idle, but things smooth out once up to speed.

Specification

Sport is a good compromise if you want some luxuries with a softer ride, but we'd suggest plumping for the M Sport because this adds front seat heating, leather seats and power folding mirrors. It also gets you firmer suspension that improves handling while also keeping the ride pliant enough over bigger bumps.

Our favourite BMW 1 Series: 1.5 118i M Sport

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used BMW 1 Series?

The latest Audi A3 may not be as impressive as its predecessor, but it's still one of the best premium family cars you can buy. A larger infotainment screen and a standard digital instrument cluster should keep tech fans happy.

If sportiness isn't your bag, try a Mercedes A-Class. This generation is far superior to what went before thanks to a supple ride and greater practicality. The 1.3-litre petrol is a surprise too, especially in A200 form, where it is fast enough for any given situation, yet returns excellent fuel economy and exemplary refinement at a cruise.

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