Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Hepfel92, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Front-wheel-drive premium compact, rated 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2019. Sources, mostly blogs, flag the following to watch: the three-cylinder petrol engine's timing chain, low-speed jerking from the DKG7 dual-clutch gearbox, and an airbag recall limited to cars built in early 2020. A complete service history is essential.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €15,000 – €28,000
- Monthly cost
- €470
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 118i manuelle.
118i manuelle
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 136 hp · 5.7 L/100 km · 129 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Petrol, 136 hp, 6-speed manual gearbox, 380 L boot (Caradisiac). Sources differ between 136 and 140 hp depending on the model year.
118i DKG7
Petrol · Automatic · 136 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same engine with 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DKG7); test in town to check for the absence of jerking.
116d
Diesel · Manual · 116 hp · Crit'Air 2
Diesel of about 116 hp, 6-speed manual gearbox as standard; 7-speed dual-clutch optional (Wikipedia).
118d
Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2
150 hp diesel; 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, 8-speed Aisin automatic available (Wikipedia).
120d xDrive
Diesel · Automatic · 190 hp · Crit'Air 2
190 hp diesel with all-wheel drive, 8-speed Aisin automatic gearbox (Wikipedia, Ultimate Specs).
Market prices
€15,000 – €28,000
Indicative range: 2019 to 2024, approx. 20,000 to 90,000 km, valuation and dealer listings.
Collected on 12 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Three-cylinder petrol engine timing chain
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn 116i/118i cars with the B38 engine, the chain can stretch with mileage: rattling when cold and a fault warning light (Euro Premium Parts). Another site also mentions a noisy chain on the early-year F40s (Auto-école Erca). The mileages quoted vary from one source to another.
- Versions
- 118i manuelle, 118i DKG7
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
DKG7 dual-clutch gearbox jerking
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingAt low speed and when cold, the DKG7 can jerk, especially in urban use; a software update improved the situation, but not all used vehicles have received it (Restauration automobile). Another guide advises against the dual-clutch gearbox for mainly urban use (Euro Premium Parts).
- Versions
- 118i DKG7, 116d
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Driver airbag: recall of cars built in early 2020
Manufacturer recallBMW recalled 1 Series (F40) and 2 Series Gran Coupé cars built between 25 January and 12 March 2020: the driver airbag could be damaged on deployment and inflate poorly (CCPC, Ma-BMW forum). A safety defect affecting a limited production range; check by serial number with BMW.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 118i manuelle, 118i DKG7, 116d, 118d, 120d xDrive
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “BMW Série 1”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €140 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €121 |
| Maintenance | €38 |
| Depreciation | €171 |
| Total per month | €470 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€140
118i manuelle version: combined consumption of 5.7 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.7 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €140
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€121
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€38
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€171
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
BMW Série 1 III (F40) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the serial number checked with BMW for recalls, in particular the driver airbag on cars built in early 2020.
- Petrol 118i: cold-start test to listen for the timing chain (rattle), and ask for oil-change invoices.
- DKG7 gearbox: low-speed test in town to detect jerking, and check that the software update has been carried out.
- Demand the complete service book and invoices from BMW or a specialist.
- Check the engine oil level and the absence of coolant leaks.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the airbag recall and other campaigns been carried out at BMW? Do you have the certificate?
- Has the engine or gearbox been worked on (chain, software update)?
- How often were the oil changes done, and do you have the invoices?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Golf
VIII · since 2020
- Price
- €18,800 – €31,100
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: MoCars, CC0
Peugeot 308
III · since 2021
- Price
- €11,680 – €26,318
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Octavia
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €17,700 – €30,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kia Ceed
III · since 2018
- Price
- €13,075 – €26,490
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the BMW Série 1 III (F40) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the BMW 1 Series F40 have?
5 stars in 2019 (83% adults, 87% children, 76% pedestrians, 72% driver assistance). The facelifted version (F70) earned 4 stars in a more recent test, under a protocol tightened in 2023.
What is the boot capacity of the 1 Series F40?
380 litres for the 118i 136 hp, 1,200 litres with the rear bench folded (Caradisiac).
Which engine should I choose used?
Sources differ: some prefer the 118i petrol from 2021 onward, others also cite the 118d and 120d diesels. None is an independent study; the service history matters most.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your BMW Série 1 listing: price, mileage, watch points.
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