BMW 1 Series — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025
BMW's premium small hatchback. Front-wheel-drive platform, great tech, and strong diesel economy. A premium alternative to the Golf.
The BMW 1 Series is a popular premium hatchback that combines BMW's sporty driving characteristics with a spacious and high-tech cabin. The current generation uses a front-wheel-drive layout, freeing up passenger legroom compared to older models.
Engine choices are highly efficient, featuring three-cylinder petrols (118i) and a range of refined four-cylinder diesels (116d, 118d). The diesels are outstandingly frugal, making them very cheap to run for high-mileage drivers.
Real-world averages of 43 MPG for the petrol and 56 MPG for the diesel make the 1 Series highly economical. It offers a premium cabin feel and robust build quality, making it a highly desirable hatchback.
TL;DR
43 MPG
Real-world petrol
56 MPG
Real-world diesel
42L
Tank capacity
£57.46
Full tank (petrol)
14.5p
Per mile (petrol)
Real-World Fuel Economy: The BMW 1 Series achieves an estimated 43 MPG (petrol) and 56 MPG (diesel) in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.
Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 42-litre tank completely costs approximately £57.46 (petrol) or £59.68 (diesel) at average UK fuel price rates.
Fuel economy at a glance
43
Real-world MPG
Petrol
50.4
Official WLTP
Petrol
56
Real-world MPG
Diesel
65.7
Official WLTP
Diesel
Annual fuel costs by mileage
| Annual mileage | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 miles/yr | £723 | £577 |
| 7,400 miles/yr(UK average) | £1070 | £854 |
| 10,000 miles/yr | £1446 | £1154 |
| 15,000 miles/yr | £2169 | £1730 |
| 20,000 miles/yr | £2893 | £2307 |
| Full tank (42L) | £57.46 | £59.68 |
| Cost per mile | 14.5p | 11.5p |
Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.
How does the 1 Series compare?
Tips to get better MPG from your 1 Series
Utilize the Eco Pro driving mode to adjust the throttle pedal and air conditioning load to save up to 10% fuel.
Pay attention to the gearshift display to keep the engine running at low RPMs where it is most efficient.
Maintain a smooth driving style to maximize the benefit of the car's aerodynamic design.
Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?
In a BMW 1 Series achieving ~43 MPG real-world, if you fill 34 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:
£3.40
Gross saving on fuel
£0.43
Cost of 3-mile detour
£2.97
Net saving ✓
You could drive up to 24 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.
Calculate for your exact situationPopular variants
Frequently asked questions
What is the real-world MPG of the BMW 1 Series?
The BMW 1 Series achieves approximately 43 MPG in real-world petrol driving — around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 50.4 MPG due to real driving conditions. Diesel variants achieve around 56 MPG real-world.
How much does it cost to fill a BMW 1 Series?
The BMW 1 Series has a fuel tank of 42 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £57.46. Diesel costs approximately £59.68 for a full tank.
What is the annual fuel cost for a BMW 1 Series?
At the UK average annual mileage of 7,400 miles and current petrol price of 136.8p/litre, a BMW 1 Series costs approximately £1070 per year in fuel. At 10,000 miles/year the cost rises to £1446. Actual costs vary with your driving style and mileage.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a BMW 1 Series?
In a BMW 1 Series doing ~43 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 34-litre fill nets approximately £2.97 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 24 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.
How much does the BMW 1 Series cost per mile in fuel?
The BMW 1 Series costs approximately 14.5p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. Over a typical commute of 30 miles per day, that is approximately £4.35 per day in fuel.
What is the WLTP MPG figure for the BMW 1 Series?
The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the BMW 1 Series is 50.4 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.
Related guides
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