Skip advert
Advertisement

Used BMW 2 Series (Mk1, 2014-2021) review - What do owners think?

The 2 Series has tried and tested powertrains and the brand is performing better in Driver Power best dealerships

Avg. savings
£4,171 off RRP*
Pros
  • Fantastic handling
  • Efficient engines
  • High-quality cabin
Cons
  • Design lacks flair
  • Tight rear seats
  • Pricey next to 1 Series

The BMW 2 Series shares its engines, gearboxes, electronics and technology with the 1 Series hatchback, as well as a number of other models in the BMW and MINI line-ups. Both models have been on sale for a few years now, so there’s no need to have any concerns over new-car niggles.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Back in 2018, the 2 Series was placed 50th in our Driver Power new car survey, which is okay, but it was below the Audi A3 and BMW 3 Series. Its only top-20 scores were for infotainment, the engine and transmission; surprisingly the ride and handling weren’t highly rated, while build quality and reliability were even worse. Running costs got a thumbs up, but everything else was mid-table.

Reliability

In our 2020 Driver Power survey, BMW came 27th out of 30 manufacturers, while the 2 Series didn’t feature in the 75 cars ranked in the survey. It's a similar story for BMW's dealers, who often find themselves in the lower half of the Driver Power dealer ranking, although that's usually the case with its Audi and Mercedes rivals, too.

A year later, BMW had improved to 21st out of 29 manufacturers, but still behind the likes of Suzuki, Renault and Nissan.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

BMW 2 Series

BMW 2 Series

RRP £38,985Avg. savings £4,171 off RRP*Used from £24,244
BMW 4 Series

BMW 4 Series

RRP £45,285Avg. savings £5,322 off RRP*Used from £15,931
Audi A5

Audi A5

RRP £42,660Avg. savings £5,780 off RRP*Used from £19,500
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,300
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

New BMW M235 2025 review: is it a proper M car?
BMW M235i - front tracking

New BMW M235 2025 review: is it a proper M car?

Road tests
23 May 2025
BMW 2 Series Coupe review
BMW 2 Series Coupe - front tracking

BMW 2 Series Coupe review

In-depth reviews
1 Jan 2025
New BMW 2 Series 230i M Sport review
BMW 230i - front tracking

New BMW 2 Series 230i M Sport review

Road tests
24 Nov 2022

Most Popular

New 2027 Vauxhall Corsa aiming to set the supermini standard
New 2027 Vauxhall Corsa exclusive image

New 2027 Vauxhall Corsa aiming to set the supermini standard

We’ve got all the gossip on Vauxhall’s all-new Corsa coming in 2027, and it might finally shake off its conservative image
News
22 Aug 2025
The future of Skoda: CEO talks new cars and how it beat BMW
The future of Skoda

The future of Skoda: CEO talks new cars and how it beat BMW

We’re not at peak Skoda yet – a flagship electric SUV and a small hatch will soon boost the line-up explains CEO Klaus Zellmer, in a long chat with Au…
News
23 Aug 2025
We're past the peak! New cars are growing far too complex, frustrating and expensive
Frustrating modern cars - Opinion, Dean Gibson

We're past the peak! New cars are growing far too complex, frustrating and expensive

Senior test editor Dean Gibson thinks that modern cars are becoming too complex and frustrating, signalling the end of ‘peak car’
Opinion
20 Aug 2025