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.

2,768 Used BMW 1 Series cars for sale

BMW 1 Series2012 (62) - 1.6 SE Manual 85000 Miles. 5dr hatchback. PX OK .

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

mhas

02038056893 *

BMW 1 Series2024 - M135 xDrive 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£37,116

2L
5.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Grimsby

01472806814 *

BMW 1 Series2013 (13) - 2.0 118d Sport Plus Edition Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,690

Finance available £60 pm

2L
51.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Pellon Motor Group

01422411383 *

BMW 1 Series2022 (22) - 1.5 116d Sport (LCP) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps)

£17,600

Finance available £341 pm

1.5L
51.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

GERMAN AUTOCENTRE CARS

01143086596 *

BMW 1 Series2017 (17) - 1.5 116d ED Plus Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps)

£6,650

Finance available £126 pm

1.5L
85.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Absolute Car Co

01794331245 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (69) - 1.5 118i M Sport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (140 ps)

£17,787

Finance available £345 pm

1.5L
46.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Strada Cars

01642262600 *

BMW 1 Series2023 (23) - 1.5 118i Sport (LCP) Hatchback 5dr Petrol DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

£19,999

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
33.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorplus Car Supermarket

01633742350 *

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

£17,990

1.5L
39.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2024 (74) - M135 xDrive 5dr Step Auto [Pro Pack] Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£37,817

2L
4.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu BMW Sunderland

01918146399 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2018 - 120d M Sport Shadow Ed 3dr Step Auto

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
53.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2019 (68) - 2.0 118d M Sport Shadow Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (150

£12,895

2L
72.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,100

Finance available £382 pm

1.5L
17.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2020 - 1.5 118I Sport 5dr

Reduced

£12,000

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
81.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Braunstone Crossroads Motors

01164028881 *

BMW 1 Series2020 - 2.0 M135i xDrive 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,795

Finance available £468 pm

2L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Aberdeen Autos

01467538822 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2013 (13) - 2.0 118d M Sport Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
97.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GD Motors

03030037968 *

BMW 1 Series2016 (66) - 1.5 118i M Sport Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps)

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.5L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

BMW 1 Series2014 (14) - 125d M Sport 5dr

£5,195

Finance available £94 pm

2L
128.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

KAMS AUTOS LTD

01922664527 *

BMW 1 Series2019 - 2.0 120d M Sport Shadow Edition Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,790

Finance available £286 pm

2L
70.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Riverside BYD

01924927456 *

BMW 1 Series2020 (69) - 120d xDrive M Sport 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£23,000

2L
27.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark BMW Aberdeen

01224451046 *

BMW 1 Series2020 - M135i xDrive 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£25,498

2L
24.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 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