Which is the most popular engine in the BMW 1 Series?

The older 118d diesel powertrain has been among the most popular, but it isn't available in the newer models. This diesel engine had a good balance of value and power, rated at 148bhp. The most popular petrol engine is the 118i, likely because it's the entry level in the lineup, making it the most affordable to buy.

Which are the most popular trim levels?

The new 1 Series comes in five trims: SE, Sport, 128ti, M Sport and M135i. The M Sport is among the most popular in the used market because of its upgraded performance and styling features, including upgraded suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and special 'M' trim detailing.

Is the BMW 1 Series a good family car?

Even though it's a compact hatchback, the BMW 1 Series is a good car for families. While it can be tight for adults in the rear seat, there's plenty of room for children, and ISOFIX points are included for child seats.

Is there a hybrid version of the BMW 1 Series?

BMW hasn't fitted a hybrid powertrain to the 1 Series yet. It has only been offered with traditional petrol and diesel engines.

Is the BMW 1 Series available as an automatic?

The 1 Series has been available as an automatic and with a manual gearbox. Both of these are popular among the used models, so it should be easy for customers to find the example that suits their needs.

Is there a four-wheel drive version available?

The BMW 1 Series started as a rear-wheel drive car. It was later reconfigured to have front-wheel drive as standard. The top specification M135i is equipped with all-wheel drive, as are some variants of the 120d. Look out for cars badged as xDrive - this is the name of BMW's all-wheel drive system.

2,554 Used BMW 1 Series cars for sale

BMW 1 Series2009 (59) - 116i [2.0] Sport 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
78.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Herts Car Sales Ltd

01992367364 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (70) - 1.5 118i SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (140 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,500

Finance available £330 pm

1.5L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

BMW 1 Series2011 (61) - 118d SE 2dr

£2,995

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

All Automotive Glasgow

01414069556 *

BMW 1 Series2018 (18) - 1.5 118i M Sport Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

Reduced

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.5L
65.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Toccar

01652247128 *

BMW 1 Series2015 (65) - 120I SPORT 3-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Purbrook Motor Company

02392006050 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2021 (21) - 2.0 118d M Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£15,999

2L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

BMW 1 Series2008 (08) - 118i ES 3dr part ex to clear - starts and drives

Low Mileage

£650

2L
113.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Llandarcy Car Sales

01639501388 *

BMW 1 Series2016 - 1.5 116d ED Plus 5-Door

£5,199

Finance available £94 pm

1.5L
95.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARVIEWS LTD

01217288890 *

BMW 1 Series2022 (71) - 1.5 116d Sport (LCP) DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,000

Finance available £329 pm

1.5L
51.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

BMW 1 Series2019 (19) - 118i [1.5] SE 5dr [Nav/Servotronic] Step Auto

Low Mileage

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ocean Group BMW Penryn

01326333538 *

BMW 1 Series2018 (68) - 2.0 118d Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) SATNAV 12 MO

Low Mileage

£12,999

2L
39.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ask Motors

01922665493 *

BMW 1 Series2013 (13) - 2.0 116d M Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (116 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

2L
83.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARS-WORCESTER

01905676567 *

3/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2012 (12) - 118d Sport Plus Edition 2dr

£2,995

2L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Coupe

SK CAR COMPANY LTD

01384885534 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (20) - 2.0 120d M Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
65.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hanley Motor Company

01782432979 *

BMW 1 Series2018 (18) - 1.5 118i M Sport Shadow Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (136

Low Mileage

£14,600

Finance available £310 pm

1.5L
40.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

BMW 1 Series2009 (09) - 116d Sport 5dr

£1,795

2L
159.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AR Cars

01254947703 *

BMW 1 Series2022 (22) - 1.5 118i M Sport (LCP) Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

BMW 1 Series2011 (61) - 2.0 120d Sport Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
73.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Coupe

Elm Motor Company

01752749650 *

3.8/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2017 (67) - 1.5 116d SE Business Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,000

Finance available £205 pm

1.5L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.4/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2019 - 2.0 M135i Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,990

Finance available £444 pm

2L
51.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Match Crewe

01270441019 *

4.8/5 Stars

Why buy a used BMW 1 Series?

If you're in the market for a car that's practical, fun to drive and stylish, then a used BMW 1 Series is a fantastic choice. With BMW build quality, a used 1 Series provides luxury motoring at an affordable price. The interior offers supportive seating, high-tech features and upscale materials that provide a refined driving experience.

Used BMW 1 Series snapshot review

Pros

Economical diesels
Fun to drive
Excellent build quality

Cons

Lack of hybrid/electric model
Limited cabin and boot space
Firm ride

Read our BMW 1 Series review

BMW 1 Series video review

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Used BMW 1 Series buying guide

Engines and transmissions

The BMW 1 Series has been available with petrol and diesel engines, a manual or an automatic gearbox, and rear, front or four-wheel drive.

Petrol

1.5-litre 118i produces 134bhp for a 0-60mph time of 8.6 seconds and an efficiency rating of up to 49.6mpg. This is the most popular engine.
2.0-litre 128ti boosts the output to 261bhp, giving it a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds and an efficiency rating of 40.9mpg.
3.0-litre M135i tops the range with 315bhp and a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds, but the efficiency drops to 35mpg.

Diesel

1.5-litre 116d makes 114bhp for a 10-second 0-60mph time and a rating of up to 62.8mpg.
2.0-litre 120d outputs 187bhp to reduce the 0-62mph time to 7.3 seconds, while still maintaining efficiency of up to 57.6mpg.
Older 118d creates 147bhp and was one of the most popular options.

Practicality

Despite being a compact car, the 1 Series hatchback provides a surprising amount of room, making it practical for everyday driving.

Interior space

Front seats are supportive and offer a lot of room.
Rear seats can be tight for adults on long drives.
ISOFIX mounting points for child seats are easy to access.

Boot space

380-litre boot compares with the Audi A3.
Folding the rear seats down opens up 1,200 litres of room.
Available 40:20:40 split folding seats allow for the middle seat to be folded independently.

Bodystyles

Five-door hatchback has been the main body style since its introduction.
Three-door hatchback was discontinued after the second generation.
Two-door coupé was available for part of the first generation, later joining the 2 Series lineup.
Two-door convertible was only available during the first generation, but later became part of the 2 Series lineup.

Safety

Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating given in 2019.
87% rating for child occupant and an 83% adult occupant rating.
Standard safety kit includes parking sensors (front and rear), cruise control and LED headlights.

Technology

10.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional driver display matches the 3 Series.
Larger 10.3-inch infotainment system display replaced the smaller 8.8-inch model.
Available wireless device charging.

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.

Used BMW 1 Series snapshot review

Pros