The 1 Series is the smallest and cheapest model in BMW’s range. It is now in its third generation and has been a controversial car since its introduction. Many car enthusiasts have not looked fondly upon the 1 Series’ aesthetics, and despite an upgraded design, the latest iteration is still not everyone’s cup of tea.
Despite the debate regarding its looks, the 1 Series is a very popular model for its German manufacturer, and is its best-selling model in the UK accounting for nearly a fifth of sales.
Overall, the BMW 1 Series is great to drive, has a spacious high-quality cabin, and comes with a range of efficient, yet powerful, engines.
BMW 1 Series insurance group
Insurance companies use a group rating system to help calculate the cost of your insurance policy. All cars are assigned a group from 1 to 50. The cheapest cars to insure fall into the lower groups, and the more expensive cars fall into the higher groups.
How much does it cost to insure a BMW 1 Series?
We've worked out some examples of what your premiums might be when you insure your 1 Series, based on two driver profiles:
| Driver type | Potential annual insurance cost |
| Aged 18-25; 1 year NCB* | From £698** |
| Aged 25+; 5+ year NCB* | From £466** |
*Both controlled for the following criteria: full UK license, employed, no convictions, no health issues, voluntary excess £250, mileage 10k.
**Please note that the estimated premium prices provided above are not guaranteed prices and are based on November 2020 data received from our insurance partner Quotezone.co.uk. There are various other factors/risks that will impact the cost of your insurance policy including (but not limited to): engine size/type, Postcode and the type/level of cover you require. Your actual premium will be dependent on your individual circumstances.
BMW 1 Series models
The BMW 1 Series has come in a variety of models over the years. These are the ones currently being sold by BMW brand new:
- 1 Series SE Model (£25,360)
- 1 Series Sport Model (£26,400)
- 1 Series M Sport Model (£28,200)
- 1 Series 128ti (£33,320)
- 1 Series M Model (£37,685)
How safe is the BMW 1 Series?
The BMW 1 Series achieved a maximum five stars when tested under Euro NCAP conditions.
The 1 Series comes with many safety features as standard, including anti-lock brakes and multiple airbags, and optional extras, such as lane-drift notification and automatic braking.
Is the BMW 1 Series reliable?
At present, there isn’t enough data to fully assess the long-term reliability of the BMW 1 Series. However, BMW as a manufacturer has come in last place for several years running in the JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study.
Having said this, owner reviews for the 1 Series seem promising, with very few issues being reported. Additionally, the BMW 1 Series comes with a 3-year warranty including BMW Emergency Service, so that should give you peace of mind for the first 3 years (if you purchase one brand new).
How to get cheap BMW 1 Series insurance
If you’re looking for cheap insurance for your BMW 1 Series then you may want to check out our car insurance price comparison tool. All you need to do is fill in a few details, and our search engine scours the policies on offer from all the best insurers and compiles them for you to review.
You can then select the one that best suits your budget and needs, and you’ll be able to purchase it within a few clicks. It’s quick, easy, and could save you hundreds of pounds on your BMW 1 Series insurance.