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.

2,766 Used BMW 1 Series cars for sale

BMW 1 Series2023 - 118i 5Dr M Sport 1.5 Auto

Reduced

£23,999

1.5L
10.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Gates of Waltham Cross

01992660808 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2012 (61) - 116d SE 5dr

£2,590

2L
126.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

2k Motor Group

01733797035 *

BMW 1 Series2012 (12) - 123d M Sport 2dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Coupe

Mike Bass

01884211283 *

BMW 1 Series2013 (63) - 1.6 114i Sport Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£4,500

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

IMV Motors Ltd

01217525794 *

BMW 1 Series2021 (21) - 1.5 118i M Sport Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

Reduced

£16,300

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
38.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

BMW 1 Series2017 - 1.5 116D Sport Auto 3dr

Low Mileage

£11,480

Finance available £234 pm

1.5L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ellahi Motors Limited

01256679122 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2017 (66) - 1.5 118i M Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£10,450

Finance available £211 pm

1.5L
84.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lami Auto Ltd

01895541066 *

BMW 1 Series2020 - 2.0 M135i Hatchback 5dr Petrol Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (306 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,000

Finance available £514 pm

2L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

BMW 1 Series2017 (17) - 1.5 116d M Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,370

Finance available £254 pm

1.5L
56.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Buy and Go Cars

02920108594 *

4.8/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series(62) - 3.0 M135i Auto Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

SOUTH HAMS AUTOS LTD

01364700699 *

BMW 1 Series2015 - 2.0 125d M Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,250

Finance available £184 pm

2L
73.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NYA AUTO SALES LTD

01215166160 *

BMW 1 Series2014 - 1.6 116i Sport Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
80.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TTG MOTORS SALES LTD

01235636442 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2016 (65) - M SPORT 116D 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

1.5L
71.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars Carlisle

01228273207 *

4.9/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2017 (66) - 116d EfficientDynamics Plus 5dr

£5,250

Finance available £95 pm

1.5L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Topyard Automotives Ltd

01932559040 *

BMW 1 Series2015 (15) - 1.6 118I M SPORT 5d 134 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Taylor Motor Group (Farndon Road)

01636554121 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2024 (74) - 1.5 120i MHT M Sport Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£28,499

1.5L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Atherton

01942597176 *

BMW 1 Series2010 - 2.0 118I SE Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

2L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

BMW 1 Series2012 (12) - 116i M Sport 5dr

Reduced

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Adamm Motors

01902951161 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2020 - 120d xDrive M Sport 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£22,298

2L
33.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2016 (66) - 116d Sport 5dr [Nav] Step Auto

£6,595

Finance available £125 pm

1.5L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Julian Motor Sales

01993463580 *

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

lite-youtube[videoid='ryiOCbFViwg']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/ryiOCbFViwg/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='ryiOCbFViwg']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

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