fbpx

Winner, UK's best automotive website 2022

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

BMW 1 Series (2011 to 2019)

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

BMW 1 Series (2011 to 2019)

Not a current model

    Summary


    The BMW 1 Series is a medium-sized three- or five-door hatchback. This model is the second generation of 1 Series. It was launched in 2011, with a major update in 2015. It ended production in 2019 and was replaced with an all-new model.

    Unlike the original 1 Series, there were no coupé or convertible versions of this model. Those cars were re-named the 2 Series and were positioned above the 1 Series in both price and specification.

    The BMW 1 Series received mostly good to very good scores from the UK media, especially for the high-performance M140i model. Reviewers generally praised the car’s driving dynamics, but criticised the lack of interior and boot space.

    In its 2020 owners’ survey, What Car? rated the diesel-engined 1 Series in first place on its list of the most reliable family cars. The petrol-engined versions ranked tenth. The 1 Series maintained its top raking in the 2021 edition of the reliability survey, although the petrol versions were reported to be more reliable than the diesels.

    Key specifications


    Body style: Three- and five-door hatch
    Engines: petrol, diesel
    Price when new : From £23,055

    Launched: Summer 2011
    Last update: Spring 2015
    Replaced: Summer 2019


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Car

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Evo

    +

    Honest John

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 5 stars
    Date tested: February 2012
    Date expired: January 2019
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 91%
    Child protection: 83%
    Vulnerable road users: 63%
    Safety assist: 86%

    Notes on safety rating

    The BMW 1 Series was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2012. However, this rating expired in January 2019 as the 1 Series no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

    However, if you are comparing a used BMW 1 Series to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    The BMW 1 Series was never lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    Despite positive owner reports in magazine surveys, warramty data on the BMW 1 Series doesn’t paint a very flattering picture. As of February 2023, it has a reliability rating of 40%, which is slightly below average. This is based on warranty claims data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Motorway, and applies to both this generation 1 Series as well as both newer (2019 onwards) and older (pre-2011) models.

    Based on quite a large number of claims, the average repair cost for a 1 Series to date is almost £1,000 – which is obviously a lot more than the cost of a used car warranty so that’s certainly worth considering.

    A particular concern is the high number of engine problems, which are also the most expensive kind of problems with an average repair bill of more than £2,500. Costs for the various other categories are also reasonably expensive compared to similar cars, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re looking at a used BMW 1 Series.

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the BMW 1 Series, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Audi A3 | Infiniti Q30 | Lexus CT | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf | Volvo V40


    More news, reviews and information about the BMW 1 Series at The Car Expert

    BMW sharpens its most potent 1 Series

    BMW sharpens its most potent 1 Series

    The complete guide to choosing your next BMW

    The complete guide to choosing your next BMW

    Britain’s best-selling cars, October 2020

    Britain’s best-selling cars, October 2020

    BMW reveals full details for upcoming 128ti

    BMW reveals full details for upcoming 128ti

    Britain’s best-selling cars, May 2020

    Britain’s best-selling cars, May 2020

    BMW 1 Series

    BMW 1 Series

    Five-star safety for latest BMWs

    Five-star safety for latest BMWs

    Britain’s best-selling cars – June 2019

    Britain’s best-selling cars – June 2019

    All-new BMW 1 Series revealed

    All-new BMW 1 Series revealed

    BMW recalls 312,000 cars in UK

    BMW recalls 312,000 cars in UK

    Buy a used BMW 1 Series


    If you’re looking to buy a BMW 1 Series, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

    Cazoo 600x300

    Buy a car online from your sofa.
    We’ll deliver it. Find out more

    Motors 600x300

    Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Subscribe to a BMW 1 Series


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Elmo logo 2022

    Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Happy Motor Finance 600x300

    Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    The BMW 1 Series received mostly good to very good scores from the UK media, especially for the high-performance M140i model. Reviewers generally praised the car's driving dynamics, but criticised the lack of interior and boot space.BMW 1 Series (2011 to 2019)