BMW 5 Series
Registered from 1990 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.
From the Wikipedia article BMW 5 Series, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The manufacturer has told owners of one of these to stop driving until the repair is done.
- The chemical substances in the inflators of the TAKATA PSDI4 airbags may deteriorate over time, particularly in warm, humid climates. This could cause the airbag to rupture with too much force in the event of an accident, which could lead to serious or even fatal injuries in the worst-case scenario. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2015 2.0 diesel. 1,893 of 15,237 tests failed, 12%.
Better than 68% of 2015 cars. The typical one fails 15%, across 894 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 52% | 992 |
| Visibility | 21% | 398 |
| Suspension | 18% | 334 |
| Brakes | 17% | 314 |
| Lights and electrics | 9% | 177 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 5% | 93 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Where it stands out against its peers
- Visibility: failed more often than 90% of 2015 cars — 21% of its 1,893 failed tests, where an ordinary 2015 car has 12%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 52% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 18% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- Brakes — 17% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 9% of its failures
- Visibility — 21% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 14% of its inspections, against the 21% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 7% | 51 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 10% | 546 | |
| 40–60k miles | 11% | 14% | 2,078 | |
| 60–80k miles | 12% | 17% | 3,677 | |
| 80–100k miles | 14% | 19% | 3,433 | |
| 100–120k miles | 13% | 20% | 2,402 | |
| 120–140k miles | 12% | 21% | 1,435 | |
| 140–160k miles | 12% | 20% | 778 | |
| 160–180k miles | 12% | 21% | 360 | |
| 180–200k miles | 13% | 21% | 215 | |
| 200k+ miles | 14% | 21% | 259 |
15,234 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0 hybrid · 181 hp · 2035 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 2.0 L/100km (WLTP) · 191 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 2.0 hybrid · 181 hp · 2021 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 1.9 L/100km (WLTP) · 187 Wh/km |
| 2020 | 2.0 hybrid · 181 hp · 1935 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 1.9 L/100km (WLTP) · 185 Wh/km |
| 2019 | 2.0 diesel · 228 hp · 1735 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 diesel · 185 hp · 1710 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 187 hp · 1695 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 214 hp · 1885 kg · 2968 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 214 hp · 1888 kg · 2968 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 214 hp · 1869 kg · 2968 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 190 hp · 1754 kg · 2968 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 197 hp · 1764 kg · 2966 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 191 hp · 1755 kg · 2967 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
- Do not drive
SR/00581/26
The chemical substances in the inflators of the TAKATA PSDI4 airbags may deteriorate over time, particularly in warm, humid climates. This could cause the airbag to rupture with too much force in the event of an accident, which could lead to serious or even fatal injuries in the worst-case scenario. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Request to stop driving
A12/00017/19
The gas generator on the driver side airbag could burst in the event of airbag activation if it had been exposed to high air humidity, high temperatures and considerable temperature fluctuations over several years. This could result in metal parts being discharged, increasing the risk of injury of the vehicle occupants. No information
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00184/24
Due to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00441/24
A defect on the cylinder head cover could allow oil to leak and spread through the engine compartment, creating a risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00783/23
The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00856/24
The ISOFIX clips welded on the rear seats can be damaged. The child seat can detach from the ISOFIX clips, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00868/23
The airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00996/24
The integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby requiring greater pressure on the brake pedal. This can result in a longer braking distance, as well as failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
17 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.