Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Noah Wulf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Premium compact front-wheel-drive SUV, rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2015, with a 505 L boot in petrol and diesel versions. The sources, mainly blogs and parts websites, flag engine mounts and the infotainment system as things to watch; the xDrive25e plug-in hybrid has been subject to high-voltage battery recalls (fire risk). Check recalls by VIN with BMW and insist on the service history.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €14,000 – €26,600
- Monthly cost
- €477
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: sDrive18i, sDrive18d.
sDrive18i
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 140 hp · 5.8 L/100 km · 132 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.5 turbo three-cylinder with 140 hp and 220 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox (Caradisiac, L'argus).
sDrive18i DKG7
Petrol · Automatic · 140 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DKG7).
sDrive18d
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2
2.0 diesel with 150 hp and 330 Nm (Caradisiac).
sDrive18d BVA8
Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2
Same diesel with an 8-speed automatic gearbox (BVA8).
xDrive20d BVA8
Diesel · Automatic · 190 hp · Crit'Air 2
2.0 diesel with 190 hp (1,995 cc), all-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic gearbox (La Centrale).
xDrive25e
Hybrid · Automatic · 220 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid with 220 hp and 385 Nm, about 50 km of electric range on the WLTP cycle, introduced with the 2019 facelift (BMW Nîmes, Caradisiac). Insist on proof of the battery recalls.
Market prices
€14,000 – €26,600
Indicative range: 2016 to 2022, yearly medians of 174 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Worn engine mounts (vibrations, dull thuds)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe hydraulic engine mount on the passenger side is cited as a frequent weak point: vibrations at idle and a clunk when accelerating or changing gear. The mileage at which this appears varies from one source to another.
- Versions
- sDrive18i, sDrive18i DKG7
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
iDrive infotainment system bugs
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingFreezes and restarts of the iDrive screen are reported across the range; a software update often fixes the problem.
- Versions
- sDrive18i, sDrive18i DKG7, sDrive18d, sDrive18d BVA8, xDrive20d BVA8, xDrive25e
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
High-voltage battery recalls (xDrive25e plug-in hybrid)
Manufacturer recallIn 2020 BMW recalled its plug-in hybrids, including the X1, built between 20 January and 18 September 2020: foreign particles in the battery cells could cause a short circuit and a fire (Fleet News). Fiches-auto reports another campaign for X1 cars built between 7 July 2021 and 14 February 2024 (cell modules not built to production specification, fire risk). Safety defect: check the VIN 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
- xDrive25e
- 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 X1”). 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 | €143 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €83 |
| Maintenance | €46 |
| Depreciation | €205 |
| Total per month | €477 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- 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)€143
sDrive18i version: combined consumption of 5.8 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.8 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €143
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€83
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€46
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€205
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
BMW X1 II (F48) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the VIN checked with BMW for recalls (in particular the high-voltage battery of the hybrid).
- xDrive25e hybrid: insist on the certificate showing that the battery campaigns have been carried out before buying or charging.
- 3-cylinder petrol: test drive from cold and at idle to detect vibrations or clunks from the engine mounts.
- Test the iDrive screen (freezes, restarts) and ask whether software updates have been done.
- Insist on the full service book and the oil change invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have all the BMW recalls been carried out? Do you have the certificates?
- Has any work been done on the engine mounts, the cooling system or the infotainment system?
- Were the oil changes done at the scheduled intervals, 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 Tiguan
II · 2016–2024
- Price
- €16,000 – €36,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Karoq
I · since 2017
- Price
- €16,000 – €32,700
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen T-Roc
I · 2017–2025
- Price
- €16,300 – €28,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Peugeot 3008
II · 2016–2023
- Price
- €7,980 – €17,294
- Reliability
- 3/5
- 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 X1 II (F48) (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 X1 F48 have?
5 stars in 2015: 90% for adults, 87% for children, 74% for pedestrians and 77% for safety assist on the sDrive18d (Wikipedia). The 5 stars awarded in 2022 apply to the next generation (U11).
What is the boot size of the BMW X1 F48?
505 litres, and up to 1,550 litres with the rear seats folded, for petrol and diesel versions (Caradisiac). The plug-in hybrid has a smaller boot: 450 litres according to Automobile Propre.
Is the BMW X1 F48 reliable?
Opinions are mixed and come mainly from blogs and parts sellers: engine mounts and infotainment are the most frequently cited points, and the plug-in hybrid has had battery recalls. A consistent service history matters a great deal.
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