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.

2,718 Used BMW 1 Series cars for sale

BMW 1 Series2012 - 120d Sport 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£5,925

Finance available £110 pm

2L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CH Car Sales

02890023206 *

BMW 1 Series2017 - 118i [1.5] SE 5dr [Nav] Step Auto

£14,899

Finance available £310 pm

1.5L
10.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2009 (09) - 2.0 118i SE Euro 4 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,000

Finance available £45 pm

2L
81.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Martyns Car Sales

01932687838 *

BMW 1 Series2018 (68) - 1.5 118i Sport Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

£8,986

Finance available £193 pm

1.5L
82.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Staverton Garage Limited

01327221580 *

BMW 1 Series2019 - 118d Sport 5dr [Nav/Servotronic] Step Auto

£11,051

2L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Exeter

01392342522 *

BMW 1 Series2017 (4Y) - 3.0 M140i Shadow Edition Hatchback 3dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (340 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

3L
63.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (20) - M135i xDrive 5dr Step Auto

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DMC

01412601329 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2019 - 116d SE Business 5dr [Nav/Servotronic]

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
71.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

BMW 1 Series2013 (63) - 120d M Sport 5dr Step Auto

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Kays Automotive Ltd

01215160982 *

BMW 1 Series2021 - 118i [136] M Sport 5dr Step Auto

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

BMW 1 Series2013 (Z1) - 3.0 M135i Hatchback 3dr Petrol Auto Euro 5 (s/s) (320 ps)

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

3L
68.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Burch Autos Limited

02890021865 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (70) - 118i M Sport 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,400

Finance available £337 pm

1.5L
33.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark BMW Aberdeen

01224451046 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (20) - 1.5 118i M Sport DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,600

Finance available £393 pm

1.5L
24.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (70) - 1.5 118i M Sport DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carderi Ltd

02039537417 *

BMW 1 Series2021 (21) - 2.0 128ti Hatchback 5dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

£20,495

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

BMW 1 Series2022 - 118i [136] Sport 5dr [Live Cockpit Professional]

Low Mileage

£20,578

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Grimsby

01472806814 *

BMW 1 Series(64) - 1.6 116i M Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Ben Kemp Ltd

01603937008 *

BMW 1 Series2022 (22) - 118i [136] M Sport 5dr Step Auto [LCP]

Low Mileage

£22,750

Finance available £447 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark BMW Tayside

01382238686 *

BMW 1 Series2017 (17) - 3.0 M140i Shadow Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,000

Finance available £329 pm

3L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Simon Kimber Cars Ltd

01284338935 *

BMW 1 Series2018 (1L) - 2.0 118d M Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,899

Finance available £250 pm

2L
56.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

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