Overview

The Mk2 BMW 1 Series, or F20 as its often known, isn’t your traditional hatchback. Like its predecessor, but not the current model, the F20 1 Series is rear-wheel drive, giving it the long bonnet and stubby tail that makes them so easy to spot in the wild. Its popularity clearly proves that buyers really don’t mind how the 1 Series looks – it’s how it drives, the overall quality, and the lure of the badge, now for less than £10k, that matter to used car buyers.

Keen drivers are likely to relish the rear-wheel drive layout that sets it apart from other premium rivals such as the Lexus CT. This, like most versions of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, is front-wheel drive which is normal for the class. No, we haven’t forgotten that versions of the A-Class and Audi A3 are available with four-wheel drive, but the 1 Series is, too. There are other left field choices like the Infiniti Q30 too, and a very obvious one. The Volkswagen Golf will no doubt be in contention as well.

F20 BMW 1 Series known faults and common problems

Since its introduction in 2011, the F20 1 Series has proven to be popular with those just looking for a distinctive and premium hatchback and those looking for genuine driver appeal. Prices have now dropped well below £10,000 for some of the earlier cars, although be careful of tired, neglected examples.

Reliability has been generally good, although don’t expect the kind of fault-free motoring that makes Lexus drivers so smug. You’ll find plenty of low mileage examples of late cars at dealers and car supermarkets, and tonnes more in wildly varying conditions in the hands of private sellers. It was a popular car, so it pays to be picky.

Buying guide

Common issues, and what to look for if you’re looking at getting one

1. PROPSHAFT ISSUES

The universal joint at the front of the 1 Series’ propshaft can fail. As this transfers power from the engine up front to the rear axle, it can potentially leave you stranded. You won’t be able to see it unless you jack the car up or put it on a ramp, but any vibrations or clunking noises coming from the transmission tunnel are a bad sign.

2. ENGINE CUTTING OUT

BMW has issued three separate recalls regarding an electrical issue that kills the engine and exterior lights. It should have been fixed by now, but keep an eye out for flickering lights in the instrument cluster.

3. LEAKING EGR MODULE

Many versions of the 1 Series are fitted with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve that helps lower emissions. This can leak and in extreme circumstances cause a fire, so check on the BMW website to see if your potential purchase is affected. You may also notice something’s amiss on the test drive if there’s a strange odour, rough running and reduced performance.

4. POWER STEERING PROBLEMS

BMW has recalled the 1 Series for power steering issues twice. Check to make sure your potential purchase has had any necessary work carried out.

5. WATERY WOES

Headlights and rear lights are prone to water ingress, leading to condensation inside. Worse still, leaves and other debris can block drain holes around the base of the windscreen and engine bay. This can cause water to build up, ruining expensive electronic components.

6. FAULTY FOLDING FRONT SEAT

An issue with the driver’s seat mechanism means it could fold forward if knocked by a heavy shifting load or during a collision. This is another recall item, so check to see if the car was affected and whether the work was done.

7. VALVE TIMING TROUBLES

It’s possible for screws in the VANOS variable valve timing to loosen and potentially break over time in some models. This will cause a fault that’ll generate an engine warning light on the instrument cluster, and you’ll notice reduced power, too.

8. FAILING FUEL PUMPS

Issues with the nickel plating process in some components can cause the fuel pump to stop working. It’ll stop your engine, but you should still have brakes and steering. A new fuel pump is a relatively inexpensive fix.

9. MISJUDGED MODIFICATIONS

There are plenty of companies and products out there that can squeeze more power out of the F20 1 Series, but some are safer than others. While we’d advise you stick with a standard car, make sure any modifications, be they for the engine or anything else, are from a reputable company and have been installed correctly should a tweaked car catch your eye.

10. FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSORS

Crankshaft sensors can fail, causing a reduction in engine performance, rough running or even a stall. At least this is a cheap part to buy.

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What models and trims are available?

There’s a wide range of efficient and clean turbocharged engines in the 1 Series that inevitably appear across the BMW and MINI ranges. You’ll have to ignore the boot badges as if they match the capacity of the engine it’s more by accident than design – the excellent mid-range 120i and 120d have 2.0-litre four-cylinder motors, but then so do the 118d, 125i and 125d. As ever, the higher the number the more power you get.

At the lower end of the range, three-cylinder 1.5-litre motors can be found in the 116d and 118i models while the high-performance M140i (there’s no M1 sister car to the M2 Coupe) utilises a six-cylinder 3.0-litre unit, capable of sprinting from a standstill to 62mph in 4.6 seconds.

Unlike other ranges in the BMW line-up, there are no plug-in hybrid versions of the 1 Series Sports Hatch, making the 116d EfficientDynamics the most efficient with claims of up to 83.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 89g/km. Choose the 120d and you can also specify xDrive all-wheel drive. There’s a small efficiency penalty due to the extra weight of the system, but that extra traction makes it marginally quicker off the line than the rear-wheel drive alternative.

Long gone are the days when German-made premium-priced cars were well-engineered and poorly equipped. While the engineering legacy remains, there’s a wealth of standard kit on the 1 Series even if you plump for the entry-level SE. Even here alloy wheels, climate control, keyless start and automatic wipers are part of the package. Most people tend to upgrade to Sport and M Sport, though, with M140i appearing as a standalone spec at the range’s pinnacle.

The trim offering was further bolstered in summer 2017 with the arrival of the M Sport Shadow Edition featuring darkened exterior elements to make it look a tad racier. There’s a wealth of extras to choose from, many of which carried hefty price tags, so if you fancy a Harman/Kardon speaker upgrade or a Professional Navigation system expect to pay for the privilege.

Making the styling less divisive in 2015, the BMW 1 Series Sports Hatch received a mild mid-life facelift, with particularly emphasis on making the nose and tail look more like other models in the range. The original triangular headlamps gave way to more horizontal units closer to the look of the 2 Series Coupe and Convertible, while the tail lights switched from being vertically orientated to being wider lenses bisected by the tailgate opening.

Interior tweaks were more restrained with detail changes to the dashboard and a range of new seat fabrics. 

Over the next few pages, we’ll review each aspect of the make/range, taking into account its practicality, comfort, fuel economy and performance. If you’re short on time, you can also skip to our verdict page to see if we recommend the F20 BMW 1 Series as a good used car.