BMW 1 Series vs Skoda Octavia
Figures updated
The BMW 1 Series and Skoda Octavia are two of the UK's most popular family hatchbacks. We compare the F70 (2024–) 1 Series and the Mk4 (2020–) Octavia on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 591,236 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the BMW 1 Series for more performance, or the Skoda Octavia for the lower price, the bigger boot and lower fuel costs.
- The Skoda Octavia is the cheapest to buy new: from £28,505, £4,135 less than the BMW 1 Series.
- The Skoda Octavia has the biggest boot: 600 litres, 220 more than the BMW 1 Series.
- Euro NCAP safety: BMW 1 Series 4 stars (2025), Skoda Octavia 5 stars (2025). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- Their MOT records are close: once age and mileage are taken into account, they fail about as often as each other.
- The Skoda Octavia is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £118 a year less than the BMW 1 Series at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | BMW 1 SeriesF70 (2024–), 5-door hatchback | Skoda OctaviaMk4 (2020–), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £32,640 to £45,630July 2026 price list | £28,505 to £40,660October 2026 price list (best) |
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 380 litres / 1,200 | 600 litres / 1,555 (best) |
| Length | 4,361mm | 4,698mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,800mm | 1,829mm |
| Height | 1,459mm | 1,470mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 170–300 PS (best) | 116–265 PS |
| 0–62mph | 4.9–7.8 sec (best) | 6.4–10.6 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2025) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Petrol | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 34.0–51.3 mpg | 40.4–65.8 mpg |
| CO2 | 121–173 g/km | 111–159 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.8p a litre, today's UK average | £1,203 (48.7 mpg) | £1,085 (54 mpg) (best) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £1,074 (63 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,203 (petrol) | £1,074 (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 | 123Well above average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 24.2% | 24.3% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.8% (best) | 10.9% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.4% (best) | 14.9% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 26.9% | 24.7% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Tread depth (3.0% of tests) | Coil spring (2.4% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 392,613 | 198,623 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,600 | 11,500 |
| On sale | 2024 on | 2020 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 Skoda Octavia more reliable?
There's little in it. Once age and mileage are taken into account, both fail their MOT about as often as each other (reliability scores 122 and 123, where 100 is average).
›Which is bigger, the BMW 1 Series or the Skoda Octavia?
The Skoda Octavia is 337mm longer (4,698mm against 4,361mm). The Skoda Octavia has the bigger boot: 600 litres against 380.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the BMW 1 Series or the Skoda Octavia?
The Skoda Octavia: new prices start at £28,505, £4,135 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 Skoda Octavia?
Comparing petrol versions, the Skoda Octavia costs about £118 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,085 against £1,203), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the BMW 1 Series or the Skoda Octavia?
Euro NCAP gave the BMW 1 Series 4 stars (2025) and the Skoda Octavia 5 stars (2025). 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 Skoda Octavia?
Pick the BMW 1 Series for more performance, or the Skoda Octavia for the lower price, the bigger boot and lower fuel costs. 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.