If you are considering buying a used BMW 5 Series, there are several major reliability issues worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 16 known faults for this model, 11 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.
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Screws for the housing of the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit can loosen or break, leading to oil leaks, affected valve timing, and potential engine emergency mode or stalling. This was subject to a worldwide recall, with a specific UK DVSA recall (R/2014/068) for models built between 2009-2011.
Rough guide
£1000-2000
Typical symptoms
Engine emergency mode activated
Distinct change in engine running
Orange engine management warning lamp
Loss of power
Affected vehicles
Engines:
3.0 Single Turbo (N55)
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Inlet manifold swirl flaps on the 530d (M57 engine) are prone to breaking off and being ingested by the engine, causing catastrophic damage. This primarily affects cars from 2001 to 2004.
Rough guide
£5000-10000+
Typical symptoms
Sudden loss of power
Loud metallic noises from engine
Engine seizure
Check engine light
Affected vehicles
Engines:
M47 320d (especially automatic)
Typical mileage:
80000-130000 miles
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Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Intake manifold swirl actuators on 2003/2004 4- and 6-cylinder diesels can break off and be ingested by the engine, causing catastrophic damage. This can lead to engine replacement costing up to £12,000. Poor idling is an early symptom.
Rough guide
£3000-12000
Typical symptoms
Sudden loss of power
Loud knocking or rattling from engine
Engine seizure
Very poor idling
Affected vehicles
Engines:
4- and 6-cylinder diesels (520d, 525d, 530d)
Typical mileage:
80000-120000 miles
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Engine/EmissionsHigh severity💬 4 owner reports, 2011 to 2013
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) failures are common on diesels between 80,000-120,000 miles, especially with short-distance driving. Continuing to drive with a blocked DPF can cause increased back pressure, leading to turbocharger failure and seizing.
Rough guide
£1500-2500 (DPF only), 3000-4000+ (DPF + Turbo)
Typical symptoms
Loss of engine power
Engine management light illuminated
Excessive black smoke from exhaust
Turbocharger whining or failure
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All diesel engines
Typical mileage:
80000-130000 miles
1 more owner report backs this up
December 2015A 2007 BMW E60 520D, driven 14,000 miles annually in heavy traffic, experienced problems with its Diesel Particulate Filter.
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ElectricalHigh severity💬 6 owner reports, 2012 to 2019
The electronic control unit (ECU) located in the boot, often under the spare wheel, is vulnerable to water ingress due to poor design (e.g., failed one-way rear cabin vent flap). This can cause total electrical failure, battery drain, and even fire. BMW issued a recall (R/2012/039) for the positive battery cable in the boot, which could be incorrectly mounted and lead to similar issues.
Rough guide
£1000-10000+
Typical symptoms
Total electrical failure
Battery drain
False warning messages on instrument panel
Engine cutting out
Smoke or scorching in the boot area
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
80000-150000 miles
1 more owner report backs this up
April 2018A wiring fault in the rear light clusters of an E60 5-Series caused random bulb warnings and was fixed free of charge by a BMW dealer.
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SuspensionHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2014
The self-levelling rear air suspension is prone to failure after around 4 years or 80,000 miles, often due to leaking airbags or compressor issues. This can lead to the rear of the car 'sitting down' and requires expensive repairs, often not covered by warranties.
Rough guide
£600-1500+
Typical symptoms
Rear of the car sagging or sitting low
Uneven ride height
Compressor running excessively or noisily
Chassis fault warning on dashboard
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All Touring models with self-levelling rear air suspension
Typical mileage:
80000-120000 miles
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ElectricalMedium severity💬 2 owner reports, 2013
The wiring connection between the car body and the tailgate is prone to failure due to repeated flexing, leading to electrical problems with rear lights, reversing lights, and other tailgate functions. BMW dealers have been known to quote £2,000 for repair.
Rough guide
£500-2000
Typical symptoms
Intermittent or complete failure of rear lights
Reversing lights not working
Rear wiper failure
Boot release issues
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All Touring models
Typical mileage:
80000-150000 miles
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What owners report on the E60/E61
25 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Engine · June 2018A 2009 BMW 520D SE Business Edition with 90,000 miles experienced a blown turbo, air cooler, and DPF, costing £3,700 to repair.
Electrics · June 2017Rechargeable keys for an E-60 5-Series lost their charge capacity due to infrequent use, requiring new keys at £170 each.
Electrics · March 2017A 2006 BMW 530d's digital clock stopped and service checks were barred because the ECU was programmed to warn of an overdue MoT.
Gearbox and clutch · February 2016A 2003 BMW 530 with 65,000 miles experienced transmission clonking, likely due to never having its fluid changed.
Electrics · November 2015A failed satnav unit on an E60 5-Series, quoted at £1,600 for replacement, was fixed for £250 by replacing only the laser disc reader.
Electrics · November 2015A BMW E60 5 Series experienced radio crackling, which was resolved by replacing a snapped earth strap connecting the boot lid to the car.
Suspension and steering · July 2015A 2004 525i E60 had tramlining and poor ride comfort, which improved significantly after fitting Bridgestone S001 Run Flat tyres.
Engine · May 2015A 2009 E60 520d M Sport at 75,000 miles had a turbo failure costing £1,795, followed by rear wiring loom failure for £789.
Engine · June 2014A 50,000 mile, four-year-old E61 BMW 520D Touring experienced EGR, DPF, and turbo problems, resulting in a £2,676 bill.
General · February 2014A 2002 E39 530i automatic with 125,000 miles experienced multiple age-related issues, including control arm joint rubbers and brake hoses.
Engine · January 2014A turbo failed in a 61,000 mile 2010 E61 520d automatic, with BMW contributing £1,000 towards the £1,800 replacement cost.
Fuel system · January 2014A high-pressure fuel pump fault on 2007-2010 E60/E61 petrol models caused stalling without warning and was subject to a US recall.
Electrics · January 2014One E60/61 petrol model developed simultaneous electrical failures in the cabin fan, mirror demisters, and rear window demister.
Suspension and steering · January 2014A 130,000 mile 2004 E61 530D Touring suffered rear suspension arm balljoint failure, raising safety concerns for older models.
Brakes · December 2013A BMW dealer quoted £1,247 to replace rusted brake pipes on a 57,000 mile 525i.
Interior · January 2013The residual heat utilisation feature on a 1996 540i, including its booster pump, failed, causing issues with the interior heating system.
Electrics · December 2012Silted-up rear door drains caused water to fill the doors, leading to an electrical problem that drained the battery.
Engine · January 2012The damped dual-mass auxiliary belt crankshaft pulley on a 520d eventually failed.
Gearbox and clutch · January 2012Transmission sump pan failures led to oil leaks, but the specific model and transmission type were not detailed.
Electrics · December 2011An i-Drive unit failed on a 525D at three years and six months old; BMW contributed 50% to the £765 repair bill.
Engine · October 2011Starting problems with a 530D were caused by a failed camshaft positioning sensor, which was relatively easy to access.
Bodywork · June 2011Autodimming door mirror glass on an E39 turned murky brown after exposure to very low temperatures, costing £300 per mirror to replace.
Brakes · May 2011One six-year-old car showed corrosion on its brake pipes, indicating a potential issue with the braking system.
Exhaust · May 2011DPFs and catalytic converters often require replacement between 120,000 and 130,000 miles, costing £1,500 to £2,000.
Gearbox and clutch · January 2011An automatic gearbox that changed gears erratically was resolved by disconnecting the battery for 12 hours to reset the electronics.
What owners like about the E60/E61
3 notes
December 2015A 2003 BMW 525d automatic reached 265,000 miles without trouble after regular transmission oil and filter changes.
January 2013A 2001 BMW 530D with an M57 engine achieved an average fuel economy of 41mpg over 22,145 miles.
Police reports indicate E60 and E61 530Ds are strong, economical, and reliable over high mileages.
Generation 2 of 27 known faults · 21 owner reports · 16 good notes
The N47 timing chain runs at the BACK of the engine, behind the flywheel, so reaching it means removing the gearbox or dropping the engine. The original chain and plastic guides were underspecified: guides break up, the chain stretches and can snap, bending valves and in bad cases destroying the engine. Debris from the guides can also block the oil pump pickup and wipe the bearings. BMW issued revised parts (redesigned guides and crankshaft) under a quality-enhancement programme and later builds fail less often, but revised N47T engines still fail, so a late build date is not a clean bill of health. Specialist chain jobs start around 1350-2500 pounds; after a snap, a rebuild runs 3000-6500 pounds
Rough guide
£1350-6500
Typical symptoms
rhythmic scraping or metallic rattling from the REAR of the engine, near the bulkhead
engine management light or camshaft correlation fault codes
sudden loss of power or complete engine failure with no prior warning
March 2019A 2011 BMW 520d experienced timing chain failure at 107,000 miles after the owner heard a rattle, leading to severe engine damage.
September 2015The timing chain failed on a 2010 BMW 520d at 83,000 miles while in France, leaving the owner stranded.
August 2015A 2010 BMW 520d suffered timing chain failure, with engine repairs quoted at £6,500, though the car was 800 miles overdue for its last service.
February 2015A 74,000 mile 2011 520d SE Touring experienced timing chain failure, which was fixed by the dealer using modified parts.
February 2015A 2011 520d SE Touring at 74,000 miles experienced timing chain failure and is being repaired by the dealer with modified components.
February 2012A 2.0 litre N47 diesel engine experienced timing chain failure from around 90,000 miles, possibly due to extended oil change intervals.
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Engine/EmissionsHigh severity🏛️ Official recall
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler cracks and leaks coolant into the hot exhaust gas stream, where the glycol deposits can ignite and set fire to the inlet manifold. DVSA recall R/2018/341 covers it in the plain words "The EGR cooler may leak presenting a fire risk", and it is one of the largest recalls in the UK, covering 225,449 vehicles. The recall work is free, but cars slip through: the fix has been revised more than once, and an unrepaired or early-repaired car is the risk. Outside the recall, a failed cooler plus manifold is a four-figure job
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
loss of coolant with no obvious external leak
smell of burning from engine bay
engine bay fire
Affected vehicles
Engines:
2.0d (B47 Engine) / 3.0d (N57)
Typical mileage:
40000-100000 miles
2 more owner reports back this up
December 2018The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler on a BMW 520d failed dramatically while driving, causing smoke to pour from the engine compartment.
September 2017A 2015 BMW 520d at 13,000 miles experienced coolant loss from its exhaust gas recirculation valve and cooler, which was fixed under warranty.
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Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Plastic timing chain guides degrade, causing the oil pump drive chain to fail, leading to sudden oil starvation and engine seizure
Rough guide
£4000-7000
Typical symptoms
high-pitched whining noise from engine matching RPM
metallic rattle on cold start
sudden low oil pressure warning followed by engine failure
Affected vehicles
Engines:
2.0i / 2.8i (N20 Petrol)
Typical mileage:
50000-90000 miles
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Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Valve stem seal degradation causing extreme oil consumption and smoking
Rough guide
£2500-5000
Typical symptoms
thick blue smoke from exhaust after idling for 5+ minutes
burning 1L of oil every 500 miles
misfires from oil-fouled spark plugs
Affected vehicles
Engines:
4.4 V8 Twin-Turbo (N63)
Typical mileage:
60000-100000 miles
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OtherMedium severity💬 4 owner reports, 2016 to 2017
Air conditioning condensers are prone to failure due to poor quality soldering of the seams, not just stone damage. BMW issued a TSB to replace these during services. This leads to loss of refrigerant and non-functional A/C.
Rough guide
£500-1000
Typical symptoms
Air conditioning blowing warm air
Loss of refrigerant
Hissing sound from dashboard
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
30000-80000 miles
1 more owner report backs this up
August 2019A 2015 BMW 520GT lost its air conditioning refrigerant at 12,000 miles, despite the system being permanently active.
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SuspensionHigh severity💬 8 owner reports, 2014 to 2016
The rear air suspension airbags are prone to failure, leading to the rear of the car sagging or collapsing. This is a common issue on F11 Touring models, with reports of long waits for replacement parts and warranties often refusing coverage due to 'wear and tear'.
Rough guide
£600-1500+
Typical symptoms
Rear of the car sagging or sitting low
Uneven ride height
Chassis fault warning on dashboard
Harsh ride quality
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All Touring models
Typical mileage:
60000-100000 miles
3 more owner reports back this up
October 2019A 78,000 mile 2014 BMW 530D GT experienced rear air suspension failure due to a leaking airbag, followed by a chassis fault alarm.
April 2018A 2012 BMW F11 520d Touring with 58,352 miles experienced multiple rear air suspension failures.
December 2015An 'Approved Used' 2011 BMW 530D GT had repeated air suspension problems, with the rear offside corner intermittently settling down.
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Manual transmissions, particularly in the 520d, have reported issues including popping out of gear, rattling, low howling/whining noises, and significant juddering when setting off after urban stop-start driving. Clutch and Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) failures are also reported.
Rough guide
£1000-2500
Typical symptoms
Gearbox popping out of gear
Rattling or whining noises from gearbox
Juddering when setting off
Clutch slipping or heavy pedal
Affected vehicles
Engines:
Manual transmission (e.g., 520d)
Typical mileage:
35000-80000 miles
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What owners report on the F10/F11
21 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Engine · December 2022A 2018 BMW 520d with 52,000 miles suffered turbo failure, leading to metal swarf in the oil pump and a repair quote exceeding £6,500.
Engine · August 2020The oil filter of a 2018 BMW 540i broke off at 13,500 miles during its first service, requiring a new housing, covered by warranty.
Electrics · February 2020The audio amplifier of a 43,000 mile 2014 BMW 5 Series failed, costing £1,500 to repair, with BMW contributing £500 goodwill.
Electrics · February 2020The stop/start system on an 8,000-mile 2019 BMW 520D repeatedly shut off and immediately restarted the engine.
Electrics · December 2019A 2011 BMW 520d at 40,000 miles displayed a battery replacement warning, but tests found no fault after a computer reset.
Electrics · October 2019The near-side adaptive headlight of a 2011 BMW 520d at 60,000 miles filled with condensation, triggering a 'Side/Daytime lights fault' code.
Engine · July 2019A 2015 BMW 520d suffered engine failure three weeks after EGR valve recall work and a health check, with the dealer requesting £1,500 to investigate.
Electrics · July 2019Dropping the display key of a new BMW 540i shattered its screen, rendering it irreparable; a replacement key cost £486.
Electrics · June 2019The iDrive system on a 2016 BMW 5 Series Touring failed six weeks out of warranty, continuously rebooting and disabling functions.
Electrics · March 2019A non-BMW satnav update via email caused a 5 Series iDrive system to fail to reboot, preventing the installation of new map data.
Electrics · March 2019The standard 'Connected Drive' 'Business' satnav in a 2014 BMW 520d with 50,000 miles occasionally rebooted mid-journey before resuming normal operation.
Suspension and steering · December 2018A coil spring on a 2011 BMW 525d 3.0 Auto failed suddenly on the motorway, making a loud noise.
Suspension and steering · September 2018A 2014 BMW 535d Touring developed a fatal flaw in its electronically controlled suspension after a year, causing violent shaking and collapse.
Bodywork · February 2017Water entered the rear footwell of a BMW 5 Series, dripping from the bottom of the back doors due to a faulty internal waterproof membrane.
Gearbox and clutch · September 2016An automatic transmission on a BMW 530d Touring lost drive due to a leaking sump and insufficient oil, requiring a new plastic oil pan.
Electrics · July 2016The stop/start starter motor of a 2013 BMW 520d burned out at 16,350 miles, but was replaced under warranty within 24 hours.
Engine · May 2016A 2011 BMW 520d experienced a rising oil level, indicating a potential issue with fuel dilution.
Engine · February 2016A 2010 BMW 520d began contaminating its engine oil during active Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration cycles.
Electrics · October 2015Corrosion on a Printed Circuit Board in a BMW 5 Series caused a Daytime Running Light to fail, resulting in an MoT failure.
Bodywork · March 2014A badly fitted blanking plate for the LHD steering column in a 2012 5 Series Touring caused a water leak into the left footwells.
Bodywork · October 2012A shortage of 'official' BMW windscreens led to a four to five week waiting period for replacements.
What owners like about the F10/F11
16 notes
July 2018A safety feature of the 5 Series Touring prevents rear passengers from buckling up unless 'P' is selected on the gear selector.
The 5 Series GT offers limo-like comfort and generous space, making it capable of handling rougher road conditions.
The BMW 520d Touring SE automatic was recognised as the 2011 Towcar of the Year by Practical Caravan and What Car.
The BMW 520d Touring SE automatic received the 2011 Towcar of the Year award from Practical Caravan and What Car.
The 5 Series achieved a 5-Star NCAP rating, with high scores for adult, child, and pedestrian protection, and 100% for safety assist systems.
The automatic stop braking system effectively holds the car, even when reversing up an incline.
The 5 Series Touring offers a consistent 2,000kg towing capacity across all models in the range.
Self-levelling rear suspension is provided as a standard feature across the entire 5 Series Touring model range.
The rear seat of the 5 Series Touring can accommodate three standard child seats side-by-side.
The seatbacks fold completely flat, creating a generous load area measuring 1,960mm by 1,110mm by 750mm.
The rear hatchback features a convenient lift-up window, allowing access to the boot without opening the entire tailgate.
The car exhibits excellent handling characteristics that effectively disguise its substantial size.
The cabin is very nicely finished, showcasing a high-quality interior design and materials.
The 2017 BMW 5 Series provides a comfortable and spacious cabin, offering ample room for all occupants during journeys.
The BMW 5 Series includes both navigation and an automatic transmission as standard equipment, enhancing its overall appeal.
The car offers masterfully composed handling and refinement, complemented by a wide selection of efficient engines.
Sellers rarely admit these faults outright
We track 48 specific phrases sellers use in adverts to soft-pedal these exact issues. Paste any BMW 5 Series advert and we check it in seconds.
BMW 5 Series service intervals: cambelt, chain and gearbox oil
An overdue cambelt is the most expensive thing a seller can fail to mention on a used 5 Series. These are the figures UK specialists work to.
Timing chainChain
N47, 2.0D, 2.0 DIESEL
No fixed replacement interval
Rear-mounted timing chain stretches over time leading to catastrophic snapping. No fixed interval, but listen for a rhythmic scraping noise from the back of the engine on cold start. BMW's 2009 design modifications reduced the likelihood of failure but did not eliminate it.
Automatic gearbox oil
8-SPEED, 6-SPEED
60,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first
BMW claims the ZF gearbox is 'sealed for life', but ZF themselves (the manufacturer) prescribe fluid and filter changes. Published figures range from ZF's 100,000 km / 8 years guidance to specialist advice of 70,000-80,000 miles; 60,000 miles is recorded as the conservative end of that range.
Always confirm against the vehicle handbook. Intervals vary by engine, and several manufacturers revised theirs after failures in service.
Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026
BMW 5 Series buying questions
Is a used BMW 5 Series reliable?
The BMW 5 Series has 16 known faults in our database across 2 generations, 11 of them rated high severity. The most serious are engine (screws for the housing of the variable camshaft timing) and suspension (the rear air suspension airbags are prone to failure). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.
What are the most common BMW 5 Series problems?
Three stand out. Engine: screws for the housing of the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit can loosen or break. Suspension: the rear air suspension airbags are prone to failure (typically 60000 to 100000 miles). Electrics: the electronic control unit (ECU) located in the boot, often under the spare wheel (typically 80000 to 150000 miles). The full list above is grouped by generation, with typical mileage and a rough repair cost for each.
Which BMW 5 Series years should I avoid?
No BMW 5 Series year is a write-off, but the E60/E61 (2003 to 2010) carries the most serious faults: engine, electrics and suspension. The F10/F11 (2010 to 2017) has high-severity faults on record too. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.
What should I check when viewing a used BMW 5 Series?
Ask the seller about the engine, suspension and electrics faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for engine emergency mode activated, rear of the car sagging or sitting low and total electrical failure. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against all 16 known faults before you travel. Check a BMW 5 Series advert →
What is the real MPG of a BMW 5 Series?
Owners report 41.0 mpg on average across the BMW 5 Series engines with data, about 74% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 4,494 owner submissions. BMW 5 Series Real MPG by engine →
If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the BMW 5 Series owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.
Knowing what a BMW 5 Series goes wrong with is half of it. The rest is reading the advert and checking the car's history before you hand any money over.