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.

2,630 Used BMW 1 Series cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
26.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Centre

01612416893 *

BMW 1 Series2024 - 118i [136] Sport 5dr Step Auto [Live Cockpit Pro]

£20,999

Finance available £438 pm

1.5L
22.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Maidstone

01622291202 *

BMW 1 Series135i M Sport DCT Coupe N55

Low Mileage

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Coupe

Oakley Specialist Cars

01435510392 *

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

£16,900

Finance available £362 pm

1.5L
38.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

BMW 1 Series2023 - 118i [136] M Sport 5dr Step Auto [LCP]

Low Mileage

£25,259

1.5L
9.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Grimsby

01472806814 *

BMW 1 Series2009 (59) - 2.0 118d SE Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,790

Finance available £62 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JB Quality Cars

01942590040 *

BMW 1 Series2024 (73) - 118i M Sport 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,448

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stephen James Ruxley BMW

02038895479 *

BMW 1 Series2012 - 120d ES 2dr

£2,995

2L
108.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Coupe

Tickhill Trade Cars

01302246799 *

BMW 1 Series2024 (74) - M135 xDrive 5-Door

£37,187

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stephen James Ruxley BMW

02038895479 *

BMW 1 Series2018 (68) - 1.5 118i M Sport Shadow Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (136

£12,700

Finance available £261 pm

1.5L
78.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Catalina Of Stanningley

01134675328 *

BMW 1 Series2023 - 1.5 118i M Sport (LCP) Hatchback 5dr Petrol DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps) - BLU

Low Mileage

£23,823

Finance available £479 pm

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

BMW 1 Series2014 (63) - 2.0 116d Sport Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2L
94.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

UK MOTORS N LIMITED

01162165638 *

BMW 1 Series2016 (16) - 2.0 120d M Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps) + N

Reduced

£11,990

2L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Shop 365 LTD

01274028208 *

2.5/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2017 (66) - 1.5 116D ED PLUS 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

£10,990

1.5L
72.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

2.4/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2017 - 2.0 118d Sport Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£6,534

Finance available £126 pm

2L
98.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2010 - 118D M Sport 3-Door

£3,295

Finance available £51 pm

2L
128.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Van Station

01216615532 *

BMW 1 Series2022 - BMW 1.5 1 Series 5dr

£19,495

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Baylis Ross-on-Wye

01989554131 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2012 (12) - 116d Urban 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cattedown Trade Centre

01752426030 *

BMW 1 Series2024 - 118i [136] M Sport 5dr [Live Cockpit Professional]

£24,898

1.5L
16.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow BMW

01416119940 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2022 (22) - 1.5 118i M Sport (LCP) Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

£18,500

Finance available £321 pm

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

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