Hatchback · 2011–2019

BMW1 Series

F20 generation kept rear-drive character (until the later F40). 118d is common; M140i is the halo petrol.

Best for: Drivers who want a premium hatch that still feels keen.

Indicative running costs ~£1,903–£2,849 / year

Power: 116 hp
Economy: 58–68 mpg
Fuel: Diesel
Boot: 285–395 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Commonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

Engine oil

Low-SAPS 5W-30 C3 (or maker approval) for most modern diesels with DPF

Oil capacity

Typically ~4.5–6.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Older diesels often charge in ULEZ — check the registration on TfL before buying

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private BMW 1 Series at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£1,903–£2,849 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£776/yr @ 68 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing	~£280–£440 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)	~£200–£360 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

9 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
116i / 118i Entry petrols. 1.5 petrol · 45–55 mpg	1.5 petrol	109–136 hp	45–55 mpg	~£195*
116d / 118d Efficient daily drivers. 1.5–2.0 diesel · 58–70 mpg	1.5–2.0 diesel	116–150 hp	58–70 mpg	~£195*
120d / 125d Stronger diesels. 2.0 diesel · 50–60 mpg	2.0 diesel	190–224 hp	50–60 mpg	~£195*
M Sport Looks pack. Various · 45–60 mpg	Various	136–190 hp	45–60 mpg	~£195*
M135i (F20) Pre-M140i hot hatch. 3.0 petrol · 30–36 mpg	3.0 petrol	320–326 hp	30–36 mpg	~£195*
M140i Shadow Edition popular. Oil use watch. 3.0 petrol · 30–35 mpg	3.0 petrol	340 hp	30–35 mpg	~£195*
M140i Shadow Edition Black trim pack on M140i. 3.0 petrol · 30–35 mpg	3.0 petrol	340 hp	30–35 mpg	~£195*
xDrive AWD versions — confirm on V5C. Various · 35–55 mpg	Various	190–340 hp	35–55 mpg	~£195*
F40 118i / 120i (later FWD) Different platform — do not assume RWD. 1.5–2.0 · 45–55 mpg	1.5–2.0	136–184 hp	45–55 mpg	~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine1.5 litre

Gearbox5- or 6-speed manual; automatic varies by trim

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook

InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power

Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK

CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry

Tyre sizeCommonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressureOften ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

OilLow-SAPS 5W-30 C3 (or maker approval) for most modern diesels with DPF

Oil capacityTypically ~4.5–6.5 litres

ULEZOlder diesels often charge in ULEZ — check the registration on TfL before buying

Buying a used 1 Series

1M140i: oil consumption and service history
2Check rear subframe bushes
3Confirm whether it’s RWD F20 or later FWD F40

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

Turbo actuator and swirl flap issues on diesels
Rear subframe bush wear
Battery drain from aftermarket modules or weak 12V batteries

BMW 1 Series FAQs

Is a used BMW 1 Series expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£1,903–£2,849 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a BMW 1 Series need?

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a BMW 1 Series take?

Low-SAPS 5W-30 C3 (or maker approval) for most modern diesels with DPF. Capacity is Typically ~4.5–6.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common BMW 1 Series problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Turbo actuator and swirl flap issues on diesels; Rear subframe bush wear. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the BMW 1 Series ULEZ compliant?

Older diesels often charge in ULEZ — check the registration on TfL before buying

Owner handbook

Official BMW manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

BMW owner manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More BMW

3 Series

2.0 Diesel

X1

2.0 Diesel

5 Series

2.0 Diesel

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN