Used BMW M135i 2012 - 2016 reliability review

What should I look for in a used BMW 1 Series?

Though formidably quick the M135i can quite easily play the role of shopping car, so it will have been used in tight urban car parks and on school runs, so check the bodywork carefully for any signs of damage, including light scuffs and dents that can be expensive to repair. Also check the condition of the alloy wheel carefully, as these may well have been kerbed.

Of course it will have been used enthusiastically too, so check the alignment of the wheels carefully, also all bodywork, including underneath, for signs of any unwarranted off-road action, check the exhaust for any nasty signs of blue or black smoke, and above all check the car’s service history (we’d recommend only buying a car with a complete one) carefully, and make sure all oil changes have been carried out on time. Also look at brake discs and pads, both of which wear quickly, and also look at the tyres’ general condition. The engine and the gearbox tend to be bulletproof, and owners report few problems with them.

The 1 Series finished in fifth place in the family car class in our most recent reliability survey. BMW as a brand finished in 17th place out of 32 manufacturers in the same survey.