Models · BMW
BMW 1 Series F40 buying guide
The third 1 Series, sold from 2019 to 2024 as a five-door hatchback only, and the first to use a front-wheel-drive platform. It runs from the three-cylinder 118i and 116d to the 128ti and the four-wheel-drive M135i xDrive.
The versions
- Petrol: 118i (1.5 three-cylinder, 140PS), 128ti (2.0 four-cylinder, 265PS, front-wheel drive), M135i xDrive (2.0 B48 four-cylinder, 306PS)
- Diesel: 116d (1.5 three-cylinder, 116PS), 118d (2.0, 150PS), 120d (2.0, 190PS), the 120d first as xDrive only, with a front-wheel-drive version from March 2020
- Front-wheel drive, with xDrive four-wheel drive on the M135i and 120d xDrive
- Manual or automatic depending on engine; the M135i is automatic only, an 8-speed torque converter with a mechanical limited-slip differential at the front
What to check on a F40 1 Series
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Recall work
What to look for: Before you travel, give the VIN to a BMW dealer and ask whether any recall work is outstanding on the car.
Why it matters: Two recalls are recorded for this generation: a driver's airbag fabric issue in 2020, and camshaft bearing cap screws that could work loose on a small batch of cars built in February 2020, where the fix ranged from tightening to a new cylinder head.
Equipment on 2021 and 2022 cars
What to look for: Decode the VIN to get the original build sheet, then check the advert's equipment list against it and against the car. Try each feature you're paying for.
Why it matters: Some 2021 and 2022 builds, especially high-spec cars, left the factory without items they would normally have had because of the microchip shortage. It isn't a fault, but it can affect what the car is worth and what you expect to get.
Particulate filter warnings on the diesels
What to look for: Watch the dashboard for any particulate filter or engine warning on start-up and during the drive. Ask how the car has been used, and include at least ten minutes at a steady motorway speed on the drive.
Why it matters: Owners of the diesel versions reported more problems than petrol owners, including particulate filter warnings. The filter cleans itself on longer runs, so a car used mostly for short trips is the one most likely to have trouble. A diesel that has done regular motorway miles is a sign of a car that suits its engine.
Also in the full guide
- Warning lights and the infotainment
- M135i: a groan on full lock and the brakes
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the F40 1 Series
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with BMW.