# Which battery does the BMW 1 Series take? Generation by generation

> BMW 1 Series battery: 3 generations (from 2004), AGM, EFB and conventional, with and without Start-Stop. Check it by number plate.

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- **Last update**: 2026-11-11

Car battery by model
It depends on the generation and on whether your BMW 1 Series has Start-Stop. With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004-2013) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A; without Start-Stop, the Varta F17 (conventional, 80 Ah). With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series F20/F21 (2011-2019) always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A. Below you will find all 3 generations, each with its battery.
- 3 generations
- from 2004
- 36 engines
- AGM · EFB · conventional

[Check with your number plate](https://bateriasonline.es/en/battery-finder-plate-or-vin) We show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.

- [ **BMW 1 Series (F40)** from 2019

](#gen-bmw-1-f40)
- [ **BMW 1 Series (F20/F21)** 2011-2019

](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-1-series-f20-battery)
- [ **BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87)** 2004-2013

](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-1-series-e87-battery)

## BMW 1 Series generations and their battery

Newest first. If you are not sure which one you have, go by the year of manufacture or check with your number plate.
BMW 1 (F40)

### BMW 1 Series (F40)

from 2019 · 8 engines
With Start-Stop: [Varta N70](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-n70) EFB · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 Also: [Varta N80](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-n80)
Without Start-Stop: [Varta N80](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-n80) EFB · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 Also: [Varta N60](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-n60)
[Check with my number plate](https://bateriasonline.es/en/battery-finder-plate-or-vin)

BMW 1 (F20)

- BMW 1 (F21)

### [BMW 1 Series (F20/F21)](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-1-series-f20-battery)

2011-2019 · 17 engines
With Start-Stop: [Varta A6](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a6) AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4
[See the battery for each engine BMW 1 Series (F20/F21) ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-1-series-f20-battery)

BMW 1 (E87)

- BMW 1 (E81)

- BMW 1 Coupe (E82)

### [BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87)](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-1-series-e87-battery)

2004-2013 · 11 engines
With Start-Stop: [Varta A6](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a6) AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 Also: [Varta A7](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7)
Without Start-Stop: [Varta F17](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-f17) conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 Also: [Varta E11](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-e11), [Varta C22](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-c22)
[See the battery for each engine BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87) ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-1-series-e87-battery)

## How the BMW 1 Series battery has changed

Start-Stop becomes widespread with the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004), and with it come AGM batteries. The most common case size is L4, but not every generation uses it: check yours before you buy.

## How to tell which BMW 1 Series you have

Each generation has its own production years and model code, which you will find in the car’s documents. These are the body styles of each one:

| Generation | Years | Body styles (model code) |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 1 Series (F40) | from 2019 | BMW 1 (F40) |
| BMW 1 Series (F20/F21) | 2011-2019 | BMW 1 (F20), BMW 1 (F21) |
| BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87) | 2004-2013 | BMW 1 (E87), BMW 1 (E81), BMW 1 Coupe (E82) |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which battery does the BMW 1 Series take?

It depends on the generation and on whether your BMW 1 Series has Start-Stop. With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004-2013) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A; without Start-Stop, the Varta F17 (conventional, 80 Ah). With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series F20/F21 (2011-2019) always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A. Below you will find all 3 generations, each with its battery.

### Do all BMW 1 Series generations take the same battery?

No. The battery changes with the generation, the engine and Start-Stop: the BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87) mostly takes the Varta A6 (AGM) and the BMW 1 Series (F40) the Varta N70 (EFB).

### Since when has the BMW 1 Series had Start-Stop?

It became widespread with the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004). Those versions need AGM; if your BMW 1 Series is older or has no Start-Stop, it takes a conventional battery.

### How do I know which generation my BMW 1 Series is?

By the years of manufacture (BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87): 2004-2013; BMW 1 Series (F20/F21): 2011-2019; BMW 1 Series (F40): from 2019) or, more easily, with your number plate: our search identifies the exact model and engine and shows you only the batteries that fit.

## More information

- [Car battery sizes: L1-L6, LB1-LB5, B and D (Asian) cases](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-sizes-l-lb-b-d-cases)
- [Varta A7 (formerly E39): what changed and equivalents](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7-e39-agm-battery-equivalents)
- [Varta, Bosch, Exide and Tudor car battery equivalents table](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-bosch-exide-tudor-car-battery-equivalents)
- [Start-Stop batteries (AGM and EFB)](https://bateriasonline.es/en/start-stop-batteries-agm-efb)
- [Car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-batteries)
- [L4 car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/l4-car-batteries)
- [What battery does my car need? Guide by model](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-by-model)

Updated: 1 November 2026 · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.

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*bateriasonline.es — Batteries and accessories · 2026-11-11*