BMW 1 Series - MPG, CO2 and running costs

In base 120 Sport form, the BMW 1 Series is 60kg heavier than the Mercedes A 180 Sport and yet it beats the Mercedes on efficiency thanks to its new frugal mild-hybrid engine. A figure of 52.3mpg (compared to the Mercedes’ 47.1mpg) is impressive, and it even trumps the Audi A3 in 35 TFSI configuration by 2.7mpg, despite the Audi weighing 100kg less. The VW Golf Style with a 1.5-litre MHEV powertrain will return 53.4mpg, however. The BMW’s 121g/km emissions figure is a little better than the Mercedes’, but the same as the Audi’s. 

And it’s not just the frugality of the powertrain that will save you money, because despite the premium badge, the 1 Series is only a few hundred pounds more than an equivalently specced Volkswagen Golf, at just over £30,000. 

The M135 is obviously more thirsty given its focus on performance, but it shouldn’t ruin you at the pumps. The BMW’s 36.7mpg figure is better than you get from a Mercedes-AMG A 35 and the Audi S3, with both of those cars mustering 33.3mpg. 

As there’s no diesel in the range, those who want even better economy numbers will be forced to look at the Mercedes A-Class, Audi A3 or a Volkswagen Golf. 

Tax

The M135 is the only version of the 1 Series to sit over the £40,000 mark, resulting in an additional surcharge on annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) costs for private buyers, applied from the second time the car is taxed up until it reaches six years old. 

With emissions of 121g/km, the 120 sits in the same VED tax group as the Audi A3 and one lower than the Mercedes A-Class. Company car buyers will find the 120 in the 29 per cent BiK (Benefit-in-kind) tax band. The M135 fares much worse, and languishes in the 37 per cent band. 

Insurance groups

Insurance on the BMW 1 Series is roughly what you’d find on similarly equipped Mercedes, Audis and Volkswagens, at group 21 for the 120. The M135 sits in group 29, two below the Audi S3 and eight lower than the Mercedes-AMG A 35.

Depreciation

The depreciation of the BMW 1 Series is almost identical across the board to its German rivals, with an average of 56.85 per cent (versus 56.04 per cent for the Mercedes A-Class and 56.91 per cent for the Audi A3). These figures are based on the pre-facelift 1 Series, where the 118i versions held on to their value best, after three years and 60,000 miles.