Used BMW 1 Series for sale in Europe

About the BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series is a compact car from the German maker, sold since 2004. It sits below the 3 Series and competes with premium hatchbacks from other brands. It suits drivers who want a small car with a more upmarket cabin and a wide choice of engines.

Most used examples are five-door hatchbacks. Earlier generations also offered three-door hatchbacks, and the first generation added a coupe and a convertible. Petrol and diesel engines make up the bulk of the market. Some listings are hybrid or plug-in hybrid, so check the exact specification of each car.

The first two generations drive the rear wheels, which gives the car its sporty reputation. The current generation uses front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive on the most powerful versions. Gearboxes are manual or automatic, depending on engine and year.

Generations

• E87 (2004-2011) — The first-generation five-door hatchback with rear-wheel drive. Three-door, coupe and convertible versions followed under related codes.
• F20 (2011-2019) — The second generation kept rear-wheel drive and offered five-door and three-door bodies, with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines.
• F40 (2019-present) — The third generation moved to a front-wheel-drive platform and is sold as a five-door hatchback.

Typical prices

Asking prices in our listings rise steadily with model year. Across all listings the median is €17,400. Cars from model year 2010 have a median of €4,500, while model year 2019 sits at €17,500. The newest model years reach a median of €41,000. Within each year the spread is wide, because engine, trim, mileage and country all affect the asking price. Compare similar cars within the same year before drawing conclusions. These are asking prices in our listings on 2026-11-10, not a valuation.

Based on our listings as of 2026-11-10. These are asking prices, not a valuation.

What to check when buying a used BMW 1 Series

Ask for the full service history and look at the car in daylight. Check for warning lights, listen to the engine from cold, and take a test drive that includes motorway speeds.

• Timing chain condition · Early 2.0 diesel (N47)

  Some early four-cylinder diesels have the timing chain at the rear of the engine. Wear and failures are widely discussed by owners and workshops. Listen for rattling at start-up and ask whether the chain has been inspected or replaced.

• Timing chain noise · F20 2.0 turbo petrol (N20)

  Chain guide wear has been reported on some turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines of this period. Listen for rattling on a cold start and check that oil changes were done on time and recorded.

• Particulate filter and EGR · Diesels

  Cars used mostly for short trips can clog the diesel particulate filter and EGR system. Look for warning lights, ask about regeneration problems and check that the car has had a long drive recently.

• Gearbox behaviour · Automatic gearboxes

  On a test drive, check that automatic and dual-clutch gearboxes shift smoothly, without jerks or hesitation when pulling away. Ask whether gearbox oil was changed and when. Manual cars should have a clean, light clutch.

• Run-flat tyres and suspension

  Many cars were fitted with run-flat tyres, which can ride firmly and wear faster. Check tyre condition and brand, listen for knocks from suspension bushes and arms, and look for uneven wear that could point to alignment issues.

• Oil leaks and fluids

  Look under the engine and around the valve cover and oil filter housing for oil seepage. Check oil level and condition on the dipstick or display, and confirm that coolant is clean and topped up.

• Confirm the exact specification · Hybrid and plug-in listings

  For hybrid or plug-in hybrid listings, check the badge, registration papers and spec sheet. Ask about the battery, the charging cable and any software or warning messages, and have a specialist read the fault memory.

Frequently asked questions