The cheapest BMWs to insure
The cheapest BMW to insure doesn’t have to be boring – take a look at some of our best picks
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If you’re a brand loyalist but want to cut back on running costs, looking for the cheapest BMW to insure is the way to go.
You don’t need to sacrifice the car you want to keep running costs low – there are plenty of quality BMWs with affordable insurance costs.
Insurance costs are based on insurance groups or Vehicle Risk Ratings (for cars registered after 1 August 2024) and factors about you, such as if you have points on your licence or have previous insurance claims.
The good thing is, choosing a car in a lower insurance group (or seen as a lower risk) should help you keep costs down.
So, check out our list of the cheapest BMWs to insure can to get on the road in a premium motor without massive running costs.
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What are the cheapest BMWs to insure?
BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (groups 10-22)
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé (groups 17-36)
BMW 1 Series hatchback (groups 16-28)
BMW X1 (groups 22-35)
BMW 3 Series Saloon (groups 24-42)
BMW iX2 (groups 31-38)
BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (groups 10-22)
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The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer doesn’t get as much love as it deserves by many. It’s a spacious seven-seater that puts a premium spin on a classic MPV – ideal for busy families.
It’s easily one of the cheapest BMWs to insure if you look at the insurance groups (for cars registered before 1 August 2024).
Used 2 Series Gran Tourers tend to sit in groups ten to 22 so, depending on your own circumstances, can be very cheap to insure.
Road tax isn’t too bad either – you’ll be looking at about £190 per year.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé (groups 17-36)
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On the subject of the BMW 2 Series being one of the cheapest BMWs to insure, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is another top pick.
This one is a four-door coupé that feels slightly more luxurious than the Gran Tourer MPV thanks to its sleek styling.
Models registered before August 1 2024 sit in groups 17 to 36, so they’re also slightly more expensive to insure than the Gran Tourer – but still very reasonable.
Choose the 218i engines for the cheapest insurance, while the M235i will cost you the most to get covered.
Road tax for 2 Series Gran Coupé from the same age range cost upwards of £190 per year to tax.
BMW 1 Series (groups 16-28)
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The BMW 1 Series is one of the most popular cars the brand offers, and it’s also one of the cheapest BMWs to insure.
Its small hatchback shape is agile and ideal for city living, so you might fancy this one as a first step into premium cars or an especially flashy first car.
The cheapest model to insure is typically the 116d SE (in group 16), so that’s a good place to start if you want to keep running costs low.
The 120d xDrive M Sport cars are pricier on the insurance in groups 28 – but that’s still not bad in comparison to some larger BMW models.
BMW X1 (groups 22-35)
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The X1 is the BMW’s most compact SUV, but it’s still comfortable and spacious enough to be a practical family car.
It’s also a relatively reasonable car to keep on the road. Insurance groups for pre-August 2024 options range from 22 to 34.
The sDrive 18i is in the lowest group and will be your best bet for cheap BMW insurance.
Annual tax will set you back £190 as well, though some models come with the luxury car tax if they cost over £40,000 when brand-new.
BMW 3 Series Saloon (groups 24-42)
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Some BMW 3 Series can be pricier to insure, but there are some cheap options in the model range as well.
The 3 Series Saloon is one of the most wishlist-worthy cars you can buy, and it can also be one of the cheapest BMWs to insure – if you know what you’re looking for.
Skip the dreamy M Performance options (like the M340i in insurance group 39) if you want to keep insurance low.
The 318i SE has the similarly sporty styling and a smooth drive but sits in group 24 and is significantly cheaper to insure.
BMW iX2 (groups 31-38)
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Another BMW SUV that won’t set you back as much as you’d expect to insure, the BMW iX2 is ideal for those after electric power and one of the hottest models in the lineup.
The iX2 isn’t as common on the used market as it’s a newer car, so you might find yourself looking at the new Vehicle Risk Rating system.
But, based on the insurance groups for used examples (31-38), it should hopefully still sit pretty middle of the road.
If you find an iX2 from before 1 August 2024, choose a 150kW eDrive20 option as these sit in insurance group 31.
Find BMWs that are cheap to insure
Searching for the cheapest BMW to insure is often a game of looking at the model you like and opting for entry-level trims with smaller engines.
BMWs that cost over £40,000 when brand-new also have to pay an extra road tax fee of £410 (as of 2024) on top of the standard tax price. That’s something to consider when it comes to running costs.
We’ve got plenty of used BMWs that are cheap to insure for sale. Browse the full range to find your ideal fit.
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