BMW 1 Series vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Figures updated
The BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class are two of the UK's most popular family hatchbacks. We compare the F70 (2024–) 1 Series and the W177 (2018–) A-Class on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 734,111 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the BMW 1 Series for the bigger boot, the better MOT record, lower fuel costs and more performance, or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class for the lower price.
- The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the cheapest to buy new: from £31,870, £770 less than the BMW 1 Series.
- The BMW 1 Series has the biggest boot: 380 litres, 30 more than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
- Euro NCAP safety: BMW 1 Series 4 stars (2025), Mercedes-Benz A-Class 5 stars (2018). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The BMW 1 Series has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails its MOT about 13% more often.
- The BMW 1 Series is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £165 a year less than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the seat belts and airbags on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class: it fails on them 2.7 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | BMW 1 SeriesF70 (2024–), 5-door hatchback | Mercedes-Benz A-ClassW177 (2018–), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £32,640 to £45,630July 2026 price list | £31,870 to £46,175July 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 380 litres / 1,200 (best) | 350 litres / 1,190 |
| Length | 4,361mm | 4,428mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,800mm | 1,796mm |
| Height | 1,459mm | 1,423mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 170–300 PS (best) | 136–218 PS |
| 0–62mph | 4.9–7.8 sec (best) | 7.4–9.2 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2018) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Petrol | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 34.0–51.3 mpg | 31.4–64.2 mpg |
| CO2 | 121–173 g/km | 16–205 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.5p a litre, today's UK average | £1,201 (48.7 mpg) (best) | £1,366 (42.8 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £1,148 (58.9 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,201 (petrol) | £1,148 (diesel) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 122Well above average (best) | 108Above average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 24.2% | 21.4% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.8% (best) | 10.2% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.4% (best) | 15.0% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 26.9% (best) | 29.7% |
| Most common MOT fault | Tread depth (3.0% of tests) | Tread depth (2.4% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Seat belts and airbags (2.7×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 392,613 | 341,498 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,600 | 8,500 |
| On sale | 2024 on | 2018 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class more reliable?
The BMW 1 Series. Like for like on age and mileage, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails its MOT about 13% more often (reliability scores 122 and 108, where 100 is average). 24.2% of BMW 1 Serieses and 21.4% of Mercedes-Benz A-Classes failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is 67mm longer (4,428mm against 4,361mm). The BMW 1 Series has the bigger boot: 380 litres against 350.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class: new prices start at £31,870, £770 less than the BMW 1 Series (from £32,640). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Comparing petrol versions, the BMW 1 Series costs about £165 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,201 against £1,366), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Euro NCAP gave the BMW 1 Series 4 stars (2025) and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class 5 stars (2018). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Pick the BMW 1 Series for the bigger boot, the better MOT record, lower fuel costs and more performance, or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class for the lower price. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.