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BMW1-series (2011-2019)

Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Used only

£5,864Typical price

Test score

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The BMW 1 Series is a family hatchback designed to compete with the Volkswagen Golf. Filled with technology, it's unusual in that it has rear-wheel drive rather than the more conventional front-drive. So does this second-generation car have what it takes to beat talented rivals like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-class? Find out in our full review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the BMW 1-series (2011 to 2019)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Apr 2025Last checked by Which?
Sept 2011First reviewed by Which?
Sept 2011Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Car reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Full hybrid reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£5,864 - £15,122
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	46.1 to 65.7mpg
Length	4,324 to 4,329mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,765mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	1,990mm
Height	1,413 to 1,421mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.15 m
On sale date	18 September 2011
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£9.73

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	120d BluePerformance Sport Line Automatic
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	52 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	10.85p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£73
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	128
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	710kg
Engine test date	16 December 2013
Test programme	2012-2016

Engine two
Engine and trim name	114i
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (102hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	52 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	13.15p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£70
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	141
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	650kg
Engine test date	15 March 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine three
Engine and trim name	116d EfficientDynamics
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (115hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	52 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	9.73p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£73
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Medium
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	114
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Engine test date	20 September 2012
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine four
Engine and trim name	120d urban automatic
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	52 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11.65p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	710kg
Engine test date	17 January 2012
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine five
Engine and trim name	118d Sport Line
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (116hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	52 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	10.17p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£44
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Medium
CO level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	118
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	690kg
Engine test date	16 June 2015
Car test programme	2012-2016

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BMW1-series (2011-2019)

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