BMW 1 SERIES (2020)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 68 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
99%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1499cc Petrol
Great Choice
99% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 17 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 17 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.
At 6 years old, 99% of BMW 1 SERIESs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 68 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 34,205 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
34,205
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2020 BMW 1 SERIES has 34,205 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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BMW 1 SERIES by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 100% | 30 | 56,153 mi | |
| 2020 | 99% | 68 | 34,205 mi | |
| 2019 | 91% | 32,819 | 41,619 mi | |
| 2018 | 92% | 27,965 | 50,440 mi | |
| 2017 | 92% | 19,053 | 56,121 mi | |
| 2016 | 92% | 7,706 | 60,320 mi | |
| 2015 | 92% | 4,010 | 67,427 mi | |
| 2014 | 90% | 5,135 | 76,509 mi | |
| 2013 | 84% | 34,105 | 93,913 mi | |
| 2012 | 82% | 29,741 | 97,892 mi | |
| 2011 | 82% | 5,252 | 97,748 mi | |
| 2010 | 80% | 4,356 | 109,865 mi | |
| 2009 | 79% | 3,810 | 113,355 mi | |
| 2008 | 80% | 2,841 | 117,331 mi | |
| 2007 | 78% | 1,973 | 120,685 mi | |
| 2006 | 77% | 1,195 | 136,390 mi | |
| 2005 | 73% | 1,066 | 137,675 mi | |
| 2004 | 72% | 331 | 127,703 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2020 BMW 1 SERIES
The 2020 BMW 1 SERIES is a premium with a 1499cc petrol engine. 68 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2020 cars for reliability.
With an average of 34,205 miles at 6 years old, BMW 1 SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2020 BMW 1 SERIES Fuel Costs
The 1499cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2020 BMW 1 SERIES?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 99% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
BMW 1 SERIES Reliability Trend
Newer BMW 1 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2020 BMW 1 SERIES
At 6 years old, the BMW 1 SERIES offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. Note: with only 68 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2020 BMW 1 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2020 BMW 1 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 1 SERIES(2020) | 99% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1587 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2018) | 85% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£145 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2018) | 87% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550-£37 |
| FORD KUGA(2018) | 90% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Bmw Models
Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.
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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2018 · 1398cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2018 · 1200cc Petrol
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