Reliability and common problems · BMW
BMW 1 Series reliability and common problems
8 sourced problems for cars built from 2012, generation by generation — what BMW has acknowledged kept apart from what the motoring press reports. Choose the year, fuel and engine size to see the ones for a particular car.
Free · no signup · researched from manufacturer statements and motoring publications
How reliable is the BMW 1 Series? What the evidence shows
We don't give the 1 Series a reliability score — no public source measures breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single number would be invented. This is what we can source for cars built from 2012.
- Acknowledged by BMW
- 0
- Warranty extensions, goodwill schemes and service actions in our research
- Reported by the press
- 8
- Each by two or more independent publishers
By generation
- 1 Series (Mk4, F70) (2024 on)0 acknowledged · 2 reported
- 1 Series (Mk3, F40) (2019–2024)0 acknowledged · 2 reported
- 1 Series (Mk2, F20/F21) (2011–2019)0 acknowledged · 8 reported
Newer generations have had less time on the road for problems to show, so a short list is not a clean bill of health.
Where these come from: our research is built from manufacturer statements and motoring publications, most of them British. A warranty extension or goodwill scheme described here may have been offered in another country only — ask a dealer here whether it applies to your car.
1 Series (Mk4, F70) (2024 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersCooling
If it has the BMW B58 3.0 turbo petrol: 3.0 turbo petrol (B58): coolant leaks, often at the oil filter housing
The B58 six-cylinder turbo petrol has a reputation for slow coolant loss. The oil filter housing, which also carries the oil-to-coolant heat exchanger, can leak coolant and oil; leaks are also reported from the water pump, and on some cars the loss is simply the expansion-tank cap. Check the coolant level regularly — the low-level warning can be slow to appear.
Applies to: BMW with the 3.0 six-cylinder turbo petrol (B58), built 2015 onwards: M140i, M240i, 340i/M340i, 440i/M440i, 540i, 640i GT, 740i, 840i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X6/X7 40i and Z4 M40i, including the six-cylinder plug-in hybrids
- Reported by 2 publishersEngine
If it has the BMW/MINI B48 2.0 turbo petrol: 2.0 turbo petrol (B48): oil filter housing can crack and leak
On the B48 four-cylinder turbo petrol the plastic oil filter housing, which also carries coolant, can crack or leak at higher mileages, letting out oil, coolant or both; in the worst case the two mix. On MINIs it is reached from underneath the engine, which adds to the labour.
Applies to: BMW and MINI with the 2.0 four-cylinder turbo petrol (B48), built 2014 onwards — e.g. BMW 120i, 220i, 320i/330i, 420i/430i, 520i/530i, X1/X2/X3 20i, Z4 sDrive20i/30i; MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works
1 Series (Mk3, F40) (2019–2024)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersCooling
If it has the BMW B58 3.0 turbo petrol: 3.0 turbo petrol (B58): coolant leaks, often at the oil filter housing
The B58 six-cylinder turbo petrol has a reputation for slow coolant loss. The oil filter housing, which also carries the oil-to-coolant heat exchanger, can leak coolant and oil; leaks are also reported from the water pump, and on some cars the loss is simply the expansion-tank cap. Check the coolant level regularly — the low-level warning can be slow to appear.
Applies to: BMW with the 3.0 six-cylinder turbo petrol (B58), built 2015 onwards: M140i, M240i, 340i/M340i, 440i/M440i, 540i, 640i GT, 740i, 840i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X6/X7 40i and Z4 M40i, including the six-cylinder plug-in hybrids
- Reported by 2 publishersEngine
If it has the BMW/MINI B48 2.0 turbo petrol: 2.0 turbo petrol (B48): oil filter housing can crack and leak
On the B48 four-cylinder turbo petrol the plastic oil filter housing, which also carries coolant, can crack or leak at higher mileages, letting out oil, coolant or both; in the worst case the two mix. On MINIs it is reached from underneath the engine, which adds to the labour.
Applies to: BMW and MINI with the 2.0 four-cylinder turbo petrol (B48), built 2014 onwards — e.g. BMW 120i, 220i, 320i/330i, 420i/430i, 520i/530i, X1/X2/X3 20i, Z4 sDrive20i/30i; MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works
1 Series (Mk2, F20/F21) (2011–2019)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersSuspension
Knocking from the suspension or steering rack
Owners of the second-generation 1 Series report knocking noises from the suspension, which Auto Express traces to worn rear dampers and/or their mounting bushes; What Car? owners and ReDriven also mention knocks or rattles from the steering rack. Listen for knocks over bumps on a test drive; new dampers, bushes or a steering rack are the usual cures.
Applies to: 1 Series (F20/F21) built 2011–2019, including M135i and M140i
- Reported by 2 publishersBody & corrosion
Blocked drains can let water into the electrics
Leaves and debris can block the drains below the windscreen (the bulkhead or scuttle area) and, on cars with a sunroof, the sunroof drain channels. Water then finds its way inside and can damage the electrics. Check the drains are clear and look for damp carpets or electrical faults.
Applies to: 1 Series (F20/F21) built 2011–2019; the sunroof drains only on cars with a sunroof
A sunroof is an option the picker doesn't record; the windscreen-scuttle drains apply to all cars.
- Reported by 2 publishersElectrics
Headlights and rear lights mist up inside
Water getting into the headlights and rear lights, and condensing inside, is a reported issue on the second-generation 1 Series. The lamps are vented, so light misting usually clears, but ReDriven warns that condensation from failing seals can be expensive to put right if left.
Applies to: 1 Series (F20/F21) built 2011–2019
- Reported by 3 publishersTiming belt / chain
If it has the BMW N47 2.0 diesel: 2.0 diesel (N47): timing chain and tensioner wear
The N47 2.0 diesel's timing chain sits at the back of the engine, and its chain and tensioner can wear and stretch, especially where oil changes have been stretched out. A rattle or metallic ticking from the back of the engine, often on start-up, is the warning. Left alone the chain can snap and wreck the engine; replacing it is a four-figure job because the chain is so hard to reach.
Applies to: BMW 1, 3, 4 and 5 Series, X1, X3 and X5 with the N47 2.0 diesel, built 2012–2015
The engine size shows 1,995cc for both the N47 and the B47 that replaced it from 2014–2015, so on a car built in those years this applies only if it has the older N47. What Car? and Parkers say the later B47 suffers less.
9 sources
- What Car? — Used BMW 3 Series Saloon 2012-2019 – reliability
- What Car? — Used BMW X3 2010-2017 – reliability
- What Car? — Used BMW 5 Series Saloon 2010-2017 – reliability
- What Car? — Used BMW X1 2009-2015 – reliability
- What Car? — Used BMW 1 Series 2011-2019 – reliability
- What Car? — Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2014-2022 – reliability & common problems
- Honest John — BMW 3 Series (2012–2019) – Ask Honest John answer
- Parkers — BMW X5 (2013–2018) used review – known faults
- Parkers — BMW X1 (2015–2022) used review – known faults
- Reported by 2 publishersTiming belt / chain
If it has the BMW N13 1.6 turbo petrol: 1.6 turbo petrol (N13): timing chain rattle and wear
The N13 1.6 turbo petrol in the 116i, 118i, 120i and 316i is reported to suffer timing chain and tensioner wear, particularly where oil changes have not been kept up. A rattle, especially from cold, is the warning; ignoring it risks expensive engine damage.
Applies to: BMW 1 Series (116i, 118i, 120i) and 3 Series (316i) with the N13 1.6 turbo petrol, built 2012–2015
- Reported by 2 publishersEngine
If it has the BMW N55 3.0 turbo petrol: 3.0 turbo petrol (N55): oil filter housing and rocker cover leaks
The N55 six-cylinder turbo petrol is known for oil leaks as it ages, most often from the oil filter housing gasket and the rocker (valve) cover gasket, and sometimes the sump gasket. They are usually found on higher-mileage engines and are worth fixing before oil reaches hot parts of the engine.
Applies to: BMW with the 3.0 six-cylinder turbo petrol (N55), built 2012–2018: M135i, M235i, 335i, 435i, 535i, 640i, 740i, X3/X4/X5/X6 35i and the M2 (to 2018)
The engine size shows 2,979cc for the N55 and also for the S55 in the M2 Competition and CS, which is why those model names are excluded; the Z4 (N54) and M3/M4 (S55) are not pinned.
- Reported by 2 publishersCooling
If it has the BMW B58 3.0 turbo petrol: 3.0 turbo petrol (B58): coolant leaks, often at the oil filter housing
The B58 six-cylinder turbo petrol has a reputation for slow coolant loss. The oil filter housing, which also carries the oil-to-coolant heat exchanger, can leak coolant and oil; leaks are also reported from the water pump, and on some cars the loss is simply the expansion-tank cap. Check the coolant level regularly — the low-level warning can be slow to appear.
Applies to: BMW with the 3.0 six-cylinder turbo petrol (B58), built 2015 onwards: M140i, M240i, 340i/M340i, 440i/M440i, 540i, 640i GT, 740i, 840i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X6/X7 40i and Z4 M40i, including the six-cylinder plug-in hybrids
- Reported by 2 publishersEngine
If it has the BMW/MINI B48 2.0 turbo petrol: 2.0 turbo petrol (B48): oil filter housing can crack and leak
On the B48 four-cylinder turbo petrol the plastic oil filter housing, which also carries coolant, can crack or leak at higher mileages, letting out oil, coolant or both; in the worst case the two mix. On MINIs it is reached from underneath the engine, which adds to the labour.
Applies to: BMW and MINI with the 2.0 four-cylinder turbo petrol (B48), built 2014 onwards — e.g. BMW 120i, 220i, 320i/330i, 420i/430i, 520i/530i, X1/X2/X3 20i, Z4 sDrive20i/30i; MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works
These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.
Recalls aren't listed here. A franchised dealer can tell you from the VIN whether a recall is open on a particular car.
Common questions
Is the BMW 1 Series reliable?
We don't score reliability: no public source records breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single rating would be guesswork. What we hold for BMW 1 Series cars built from 2012: 0 problems BMW has acknowledged, through a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action, and 8 reported by at least two independent publishers — listed above by generation, each with its sources. Which matter depends on the generation and engine, and on whether the work has been done, which a service history check shows.
What are the most common BMW 1 Series problems?
For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: 3.0 turbo petrol (B58): coolant leaks, often at the oil filter housing; 2.0 turbo petrol (B48): oil filter housing can crack and leak; Knocking from the suspension or steering rack; Blocked drains can let water into the electrics; Headlights and rear lights mist up inside. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.
Has BMW acknowledged problems with the 1 Series?
We haven't found a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action in which BMW acknowledged a problem on this model. The reported problems above come from the motoring press.
Does every 1 Series have these problems?
No. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history shows: our check returns the manufacturer's dealer records by VIN, and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Has this car had the work done?
A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car, found by its VIN — what was done, when and at what mileage — and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Check a car's service history