BMW 5 Series Common Faults in the UK
G30, 2017–2024 — premium executive saloon. Updated 6 October 2026.
This guide covers the G30, 2017–2024 only. Older 5 Series generations have different engines and faults — for one of those, see how to check any car for known faults.
The G30 BMW 5 Series (2017–2024) is generally robust in UK conditions. Owners report timing-chain wear on pre-2018 B47 diesels above 75,000 miles, diesels built to mid-2018 are covered by DVSA EGR-cooler recalls, and Touring rear air suspension can wear after 95,000 miles. Best-buy years: 2019–2021. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.
Largest DVSA recall for the 5 Series: R/2022/255, 322,745 vehicles in the whole recall — Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold. See the 6 DVSA recalls listed for this model.
88.0% of BMW 5 Series cars registered 2017–2022 pass the MOT on the day (cars fixed during the test included), 1.9 points above all cars registered in those years (86.1%). These are the cars this guide covers that were 3 to 12 years old when DVSA tested them in 2025, counted from 7,404 DVSA tests; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Counting every registration year DVSA holds for the BMW 5 Series (2003–2022), which includes generations this guide does not cover, 82.9% pass on the day (cars fixed during the test included), from 20,829 tests.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓The asking-price figures above are the middle 80% and the median of what sellers were asking on Autoza on 29 October 2026 — not what buyers pay — for BMW 5 Series cars registered from 2017. They are worked out from the cars on sale when this page is generated, and none is shown when fewer than 10 cars qualify. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The other quick-stats values are indicative editorial estimates aggregated from owner-forum sentiment, recall data and reliability surveys. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
Updated B47 timing chain assembly and refreshed iDrive 7 software. Cars built after mid-2018 fall outside the EGR-cooler replacement recalls, but diesels built up to September 2020 are still covered by DVSA recall R/2022/255 (engine software to detect EGR leaks), so check it has been done. Note the G30 facelift (LCI) was revealed in May 2020 and reached the market that July, so a car described as a 2019 facelift is mislabelled — check the build date rather than the model year. The starter-motor recalls R/2022/261 (5 Series Saloon built 27 February 2017 to 29 June 2020) and R/2025/405 (built August 2016 to September 2020) also cover 2019–2020 cars, so check those too.
Chain stretch on early B47 diesels is the most discussed issue on owner forums and can be expensive when it happens. Frequency is unknown to us — we hold no recall or failure count for it — so treat it as a reason to check the service history and listen to a cold start, rather than as a fault every early car has. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2017 and 2018 registrations above all cars registered those years, so they are not named as years to avoid. Judge a 5 Series by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year.
Known faults — BMW 5 Series G30, 2017–2024
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: patterns that come up repeatedly with workshops, owner forums and reliability surveys. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
EGR cooler (diesel)
- Symptoms
- Coolant loss with no visible external leak. DVSA recall wording: the EGR cooler may leak over time, presenting a fire risk
- Years affected
- G30/G31 diesels built up to mid-2018 (EGR cooler replaced under R/2018/258, R/2021/037 and R/2022/206); diesels built up to September 2020 (engine software under R/2022/255)
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under the recall if not yet completed; otherwise £1,200–£1,800
- What to check before buying
- Check the registration on GOV.UK’s recall check and ask for the BMW dealer record showing the EGR recall work was done. DVSA references: R/2018/258, R/2021/037, R/2022/206 and R/2022/255.
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2022/255 322,745 (every model in the recall); R/2022/206 319,399 (every model in the recall); R/2018/258 153,602 (every model in the recall); R/2021/037 63,888 (every model in the recall).
Engine — B47 diesel timing chain
- Symptoms
- Rattle on cold start that fades after 5–10 seconds; metallic chain noise when accelerating
- Years affected
- Pre-2018 (B47 engine code, mostly 520d / 525d) — Above 75,000 miles
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £2,500–£4,500 (chain, guides, tensioner, gaskets, labour)
- What to check before buying
- Cold-start in person — never accept "the engine is already warm". Borescope inspection at a BMW specialist (£80–£120) is the cheapest insurance.
Rear air suspension (Touring)
- Symptoms
- Tail sits low overnight; harsh ride; air pump runs constantly
- Years affected
- All G31 Touring (rear self-levelling air suspension is standard) — Typical failure 95,000–110,000 miles
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £800–£1,400 per side (genuine BMW); aftermarket from £350
- What to check before buying
- Park overnight before viewing — check the rear ride height is level side to side next morning. Listen for the air pump cycling at idle.
iDrive eDrive battery (530e PHEV)
- Symptoms
- Reduced electric-only range; longer charging time; loss of full hybrid mode
- Years affected
- 530e PHEV, all years — Varies with the car’s age, mileage and how it has been charged
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £3,500–£6,000 for replacement battery pack
- What to check before buying
- Ask for the EV-only range the car shows on a full charge during the test drive and compare it with the official WLTP electric range for that model year; a large shortfall on a mild day suggests the battery has degraded. Ask for a State of Health report from a franchised dealer or a recognised battery health check, and compare it with the terms of the manufacturer’s battery warranty.
Mechatronic (8HP gearbox, post-125,000 miles)
- Symptoms
- Harsh shifts from 2nd to 3rd; check-engine light with transmission codes
- Years affected
- All years, mileage-dependent — Typical issue beyond 125,000 miles without fluid changes
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £1,500–£2,800 for mechatronic rebuild; full ZF service £450–£650
- What to check before buying
- Service history must show ZF 8HP transmission fluid + filter change every 50,000 miles. BMW says "lifetime fluid" — independent specialists strongly disagree.
Front lower control-arm bushings
- Symptoms
- Knocking over speed bumps; vague steering; uneven tyre wear on inner edges
- Years affected
- All years — 75,000+ miles
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £280–£450 both sides
- What to check before buying
- Drive over a speed bump slowly during test drive. Listen for clunks. Check inner edge tyre wear.
Sunroof drains (panoramic)
- Symptoms
- Damp footwells after rain; mouldy smell; water ingress in headlining
- Years affected
- All G30 with panoramic roof
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £150–£400 for drain unblocking; £1,800+ if headlining damaged
- What to check before buying
- Lift carpet at footwells, check for damp. Smell test on a humid day. Look for water staining around A-pillar headliner.
More DVSA safety recalls for the BMW 5 Series, largest first
These are the recalls DVSA lists for this model and its build years that the cards above do not already describe: every one of 10,000 or more vehicles, largest first, with DVSA’s own reference and figures. A recall covers only cars built in its dates and within its VIN range — check a particular car by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. “Critical” here means DVSA’s own notice tells owners not to drive the car until it is fixed. It is never a size: “Large” means DVSA lists 10,000 or more vehicles in the recall.
- Safety recall · R/2025/405Large recall — 43,162 vehicles
Replace the Engine Starter Motor
For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out.
43,162 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 18 August 2016 and 1 September 2020 · recall launched 27 October 2025
- Safety recall · R/2022/261Large recall — 25,982 vehicles
In rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event
25,982 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 27 February 2017 and 29 June 2020 · recall launched 12 September 2022
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls file (every recall since 1992), published under the Open Government Licence. Where DVSA gives one figure for a recall that covers several models, it is shown as the whole recall’s total.
BMW 5 Series MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the 5 Series was higher in 7, lower in 1 and level in 2 of the 10 registration years from 2013 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap below is 2022 registrations: 88.3% against 91.2% for all cars registered that year. The widest gap above is 2014 registrations: 85.8% against 74.3%.
Pass rate here: passed on the day, cars fixed during the test included. Rows: every BMW 5 Series DVSA tested in 2025, by registration year (2013–2022), all engines and fuels together. 2013–2016 registrations are older generations of the 5 Series than this guide covers, shown for comparison; the guide’s own cars start in 2017. A registration year cannot separate two generations exactly when one replaced the other part-way through a year.
| Registered | 5 Series | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022639 tests | 88.3% | 91.2% | −2.9 lower |
| 2021563 tests | 87.6% | 90.1% | −2.5 level |
| 2020893 tests | 89.6% | 88.7% | +0.9 level |
| 20191,703 tests | 88.6% | 86.9% | +1.7 higher |
| 20181,993 tests | 88.0% | 84.5% | +3.5 higher |
| 20171,613 tests | 86.4% | 82.2% | +4.2 higher |
| 20161,639 tests | 86.2% | 79.4% | +6.8 higher |
| 20151,763 tests | 86.3% | 76.7% | +9.6 higher |
| 20141,601 tests | 85.8% | 74.3% | +11.5 higher |
| 20131,372 tests | 76.8% | 71.9% | +4.9 higher |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the 5 Series was higher in every one of the 6 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (6 bands)
| Mileage | 5 Series | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40k–60k2,640 tests | 87.5% | 84.0% | +3.4 higher |
| 60k–80k3,281 tests | 84.9% | 78.8% | +6.2 higher |
| 80k–100k3,172 tests | 83.8% | 73.9% | +9.9 higher |
| 100k–120k2,636 tests | 81.6% | 70.0% | +11.6 higher |
| 120k–140k2,226 tests | 80.1% | 68.1% | +12.0 higher |
| 160k+2,898 tests | 78.0% | 66.3% | +11.7 higher |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the BMW 5 Series: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months) (3,459,000 tests). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 563 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Long-distance commuters, motorway drivers, anyone covering 15,000+ miles/year. Excellent depreciation curve from 4 years onwards.
Short-trip city driving (DPF issues), drivers who skip routine servicing, anyone unwilling to budget £700–£1,000/year for maintenance.
Alternatives to consider
If the BMW 5 Series doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
- →Mercedes E-Class W213
- →Audi A6 C8 common faults
- →Volvo S90
BMW 5 Series: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used BMW 5 Series in the UK?
The G30 BMW 5 Series (2017–2024) is generally robust in UK conditions. Owners report timing-chain wear on pre-2018 B47 diesels above 75,000 miles, diesels built to mid-2018 are covered by DVSA EGR-cooler recalls, and Touring rear air suspension can wear after 95,000 miles. Best-buy years: 2019–2021. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.
What is the best year to buy a used BMW 5 Series in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2019, 2020, 2021. Updated B47 timing chain assembly and refreshed iDrive 7 software. Cars built after mid-2018 fall outside the EGR-cooler replacement recalls, but diesels built up to September 2020 are still covered by DVSA recall R/2022/255 (engine software to detect EGR leaks), so check it has been done. Note the G30 facelift (LCI) was revealed in May 2020 and reached the market that July, so a car described as a 2019 facelift is mislabelled — check the build date rather than the model year. The starter-motor recalls R/2022/261 (5 Series Saloon built 27 February 2017 to 29 June 2020) and R/2025/405 (built August 2016 to September 2020) also cover 2019–2020 cars, so check those too.
What years of BMW 5 Series should I avoid in the UK?
No specific year of the G30, 2017–2024 BMW 5 Series is generally avoided. Chain stretch on early B47 diesels is the most discussed issue on owner forums and can be expensive when it happens. Frequency is unknown to us — we hold no recall or failure count for it — so treat it as a reason to check the service history and listen to a cold start, rather than as a fault every early car has. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2017 and 2018 registrations above all cars registered those years, so they are not named as years to avoid. Judge a 5 Series by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year.
How much does a used BMW 5 Series cost in the UK in 2026?
What sellers were asking on Autoza on 29 October 2026, for BMW 5 Series cars registered from 2017: £11,340–£23,500, median £15,499 — the range is the middle 80% of asking prices. Those are asking prices, not what buyers paid, and not a UK price index. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a BMW 5 Series in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
What real-world fuel economy does a BMW 5 Series achieve on UK roads?
Typical real-world consumption: 44–51 mpg real-world for 520d on UK roads (B47 engine).
How does a BMW 5 Series compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Mercedes E-Class W213, Audi A6 C8, Volvo S90. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the BMW 5 Series most suitable for?
Long-distance commuters, motorway drivers, anyone covering 15,000+ miles/year. Excellent depreciation curve from 4 years onwards.
Who should NOT buy a BMW 5 Series?
Short-trip city driving (DPF issues), drivers who skip routine servicing, anyone unwilling to budget £700–£1,000/year for maintenance.
Are there safety recalls on the BMW 5 Series?
DVSA lists 6 safety recalls for the BMW 5 Series that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2022/255 (322,745 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 8 March 2016 and 14 September 2020): Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold; R/2022/206 (319,399 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 22 February 2017 and 15 May 2018): The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident; R/2018/258 (153,602 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 8 March 2016 and 13 December 2017): Exhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the EGR cooler (diesel) on the BMW 5 Series a serious problem?
EGR cooler (diesel) on the BMW 5 Series is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2022/255. Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible external leak. DVSA recall wording: the EGR cooler may leak over time, presenting a fire risk. Years affected: G30/G31 diesels built up to mid-2018 (EGR cooler replaced under R/2018/258, R/2021/037 and R/2022/206); diesels built up to September 2020 (engine software under R/2022/255). Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under the recall if not yet completed; otherwise £1,200–£1,800. What to check before buying: Check the registration on GOV.UK’s recall check and ask for the BMW dealer record showing the EGR recall work was done. DVSA references: R/2018/258, R/2021/037, R/2022/206 and R/2022/255.
Is the Engine — B47 diesel timing chain on the BMW 5 Series a serious problem?
Owner-reported, frequency unknown: Engine — B47 diesel timing chain comes up in owner forums and workshop reports for the BMW 5 Series, but how often it happens is not known, so treat it as a question to ask rather than a fault every car has. Symptoms: Rattle on cold start that fades after 5–10 seconds; metallic chain noise when accelerating. Years affected: Pre-2018 (B47 engine code, mostly 520d / 525d). Above 75,000 miles. Indicative repair cost in the UK: £2,500–£4,500 (chain, guides, tensioner, gaskets, labour). What to check before buying: Cold-start in person — never accept "the engine is already warm". Borescope inspection at a BMW specialist (£80–£120) is the cheapest insurance.
Is the Mechatronic (8HP gearbox, post-125,000 miles) on the BMW 5 Series a serious problem?
Owner-reported, frequency unknown: Mechatronic (8HP gearbox, post-125,000 miles) comes up in owner forums and workshop reports for the BMW 5 Series, but how often it happens is not known, so treat it as a question to ask rather than a fault every car has. Symptoms: Harsh shifts from 2nd to 3rd; check-engine light with transmission codes. Years affected: All years, mileage-dependent. Typical issue beyond 125,000 miles without fluid changes. Indicative repair cost in the UK: £1,500–£2,800 for mechatronic rebuild; full ZF service £450–£650. What to check before buying: Service history must show ZF 8HP transmission fluid + filter change every 50,000 miles. BMW says "lifetime fluid" — independent specialists strongly disagree.
Check these next
The guide above is about the BMW 5 Series as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse BMW 5 Series listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the 5 SeriesVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly payment on a £15,499 5 SeriesThe median asking price on Autoza on 29 October 2026, not what buyers pay: change it to the car you are looking at.
- What is your 5 Series worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
Looking to buy a BMW 5 Series in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.