A mainstay of the executive car class, the BMW 5 Series has been a presence on the UK for decades. Offering a refined experience for passengers with a sporty one for the person behind the wheel, the latest 5 Series continues with the tradition of all-rounder ability and solid build quality. The new 5 Series arrives with a range of electrified options, which aim to make it even more efficient, too.
When buying a used BMW 5 Series, check for a full-service history, smooth automatic gearbox changes and no warning lights. Pay close attention to the electronics, cooling system, suspension and tyre wear. Drivetrain warnings or uneven tyres can point to bigger issues, so it’s also worth using an online vehicle check, such as an AA Vehicle Check, to look for outstanding finance, insurance write-off history or mileage discrepancies.
Allen Childs is a Regional Manager at The AA, with extensive experience in roadside assistance, vehicle repair, recovery operations, team development and operational leadership.
Read bioThe BMW 5 Series is a refined executive car, but repairs can be expensive if servicing has been missed.
Common issues include:
Repairs can range from around £300 to more than £2,000 depending on the fault, engine and model year.
The BMW 5 Series uses BMW’s condition-based servicing system, but most cars still need attention every 12 months or around 10,000 miles, depending on use.
Key maintenance to keep on top of includes:
The BMW 5 Series is a comfortable, high-quality executive car with strong performance and good long-distance refinement. It can be reliable, but it needs consistent maintenance.
After 5 to 7 years, neglected examples are more likely to show costly faults with electronics, suspension, cooling systems, drivetrain components or diesel emissions systems. A well-serviced 5 Series with clear history and no warning lights should still be a good used buy.
The BMW 5 Series continues to be a true all-rounder thanks to its effortless refinement and quality cabin, while the recent addition of plug-in hybrid and electric models means there’s now a version for all drivers.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioThe BMW 5 Series has risen in price over the years, making it quite an expensive proposition when buying new. Prices start at £53,090 for a 520i petrol in entry-level M Sport trim, while the 530e plug-in hybrid starts at £62,675. Prices for the electric i5, meanwhile, kick off from £74,205.
The latest 5 Series hasn’t been out for all that long, but there are some examples appearing on the used market. We found a 2025-plate 520i in M Sport trim on AA Cars for £40,065 - a significant saving over the new price - and a 530e in M Sport Pro specification for £55,590 with just five miles on the clock. There are definitely savings to be had if you’re happy to look at the used market.
There might be one omission that you’ll notice from the 5 Series engine line-up - diesel. Though a mainstay of the 5 Series range for decades, this latest generation is now only available with petrol, plug-in hybrid or electric powertrains. Things kick off with the 2.0-litre 520i, which brings a decent amount of performance at the lowest price point. From there, you’ve got the 530e plug-in hybrid with its 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor which brings up to 64 miles of electric range.
Then, there’s the more powerful 550e, which is another plug-in hybrid but one which uses a 3.0-litre petrol straight-six at its heart. It can still return up to 57 miles of electric-only range, too. Then, there’s the electric i5, which has an impressive range of up to 384 miles from a single charge.
The BMW 5 Series has always been known for its refinement and that’s present on this latest-generation car. It’s smooth and comfortable, with low levels of both wind and road noise, which helps to make this car feel very relaxed, even at greater speeds. The 5 Series has always been accomplished as a long-distance cruiser and that’s no different for this model, with the motorway feeling like this car’s ‘happy place’.
The electric i5 takes this one stage further, too. It is impressively silent inside, with only a small amount of wind noise to note. It’s worth adding that the 5 Series is quite a large car in its latest generation, so some extra consideration does need to be taken when parking and positioning it, though you do have plenty of sensors and cameras to help out.
The 5 Series brings a plush, comfortable ride which can make those longer days of travel a breeze. The steering is nicely weighted, too, which inspires confidence when you’re tackling those longer bends. The steering wheel itself is oddly large, though, which can take a bit of getting used to.
M Sport models bring firmer suspension and larger wheels, which do help to give the 5 Series a more dynamic edge. However, these models also suffer from a slightly firmer ride, which is most noticeable when you’re travelling at slower speeds. Once you’re at a motorway speed, it’s less apparent, however. An optional Adaptive Suspension package allows you to adjust the firmness of the dampers while you’re on the move, and plug-in hybrid and electric models get air suspension at the rear as standard for an even more comfortable ride.
There’s a great sense of quality to the interior of the 5 Series. There are plenty of high-end materials dotted throughout and a great level of space means that all occupants inside have a good amount of room. It’s a shame, however, that i5 electric versions miss out on a fully flat floor in the back - as so many EVs offer - due to the platform being shared with petrol models that require a transmission tunnel.
There’s a large central screen which is the focal point of the interior, too, and a high-definition driver’s display which provides all key information to the person behind the wheel. It also includes streaming services, so you can watch outlets such as YouTube when you’re stationary, or when charging in the electric i5.
The latest 5 Series is a large car, so there’s plenty of space to use inside the cabin. There’s a nice amount of storage to make the most of, too, though it’d be nice if the rear-seat side pockets were a little larger. Some versions lack seat-back pockets, too, which seems like a strange omission.
Boot space-wise, the 5 Series does well. You’ve got 520 litres on offer in petrol and plug-in hybrid models, through the i5 version suffers a slight penalty in practicality with 490 litres available in these models. If you need even more space, then opt for the Touring - or estate - version, as this increases boot room to a useful 570 litres and that’s the same in the i5 Touring, too.
As an executive model, it’ll come as little surprise that there’s a lot of equipment included on the 5 Series as standard. M Sport models get a sporty exterior design, alongside LED headlights and daytime running lights. All models get a 14.5-inch infotainment display which is packed with functions and this is combined with a 12.3-inch driver’s display to create a high-tech-feeling area.
M Sport actually acts as the base trim level for the 5 Series, which is a good thing since this was always the most popular specification on the previous-generation car. Step up to M Sport Pro and you get touches like 20-inch alloy wheels and plenty of gloss-black detailing, as well we light-up kidney grilles which give the car a lot of presence at night.
As touched upon, BMW has decided to ditch more entry-level specifications on the latest 5 Series, instead kicking things off with popular M Sport trim. This brings 19-inch alloy wheels, lowered M Sport suspension and that full widescreen infotainment system. It’s a comprehensive specification and is a great place to start if you’re looking to keep prices down.
M Sport Pro adds in an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, as well as 20-inch alloy wheels and a full M Sport Shadowline package which brings a variety of gloss-black elements to key areas of the car. An M Sport leather steering wheel is a more dynamic addition at this trim level, too.
You’ve also got Sport Edition, which brings a more classic look to the 5 Series with a variety of silver elements replacing the gloss black ones on other specifications. You get old-school-looking silver alloy wheels at this grade, too.
Colour-wise, you’ve got 12 standard shades to choose from, though you can also choose from BMW’s extensive Individual palette if you’re after more individualisation.
BMW has always done well in terms of reliability and we can’t see this latest 5 Series being any different. It has a solid interior which should stand the test of time, too, though, as with any executive model, regular servicing will be essential, while repair bills have the potential to be high due to the cost of parts.
Tested by Euro NCAP in 2023, the latest BMW 5 Series was awarded the maximum five-star rating, showing it to be a very safe car indeed. All cars get automatic emergency braking as standard alongside lane-keep assistance, though optional packs can add additional features should you need them.
All cars within the 5 Series range should prove efficient and relatively cheap to run. The 520i, for instance, should return up to 47mpg, which isn’t bad considering its relatively small capacity in what is a large car. Emissions of 131g/km aren’t bad either.
The plug-in hybrid models will, of course, be cheap to run providing you have a low-cost way of charging them up. With an electric-only range of up to 64 miles, the 530e would be great for drivers with an average commute, who would be able to complete nearly all of their journey without needing the engine. The 530e, meanwhile, is ideal for drivers who go further afield as the 3.0-litre petrol engine will be far smoother on the motorway.
Finally, there’s the electric i5. If you’re able to charge at home, where energy rates are at their lowest, then this one will make the most sense. However, those not able to charge at home or who do long-distance trips more frequently might find themselves leaning towards one of the other powertrains available with the 5 Series.
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