2021 BMW 5 Series: petrol or diesel?
Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.
Diesel versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.
Known faults on every 2021 BMW 5 Series
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Ten recalls
Recalls also covered the brake pedal switch, curtain airbags, the steering gear, a balance shaft bearing, 48-volt battery cables, rear driveshafts and plug-in hybrid batteries.
At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm every recall has been done.
Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability
- All engines
Electrical and sensor faults
Most petrol faults are electrical, including faulty sensors, persistent warning lights and infotainment faults.
At the viewing: Test every button and screen, and look for warning lights.
Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability
Looking at a BMW 5 Series?
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Other years
Every year of the BMW 5 Series compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 449 | Tyres 12% |
| 2022 | 2,690 | Tyres 22% |
| 2020 | 12,610 | Tyres 22% |
| 2019 | 46,328 | Tyres 23% |
| 2018 | 56,183 | Tyres 24% |
| 2017 | 39,758 | Tyres 24% |
| 2016 | 120 | Tyres 18% |
| 2015 | 188 | Tyres 19% |
| 2014 | 591 | Tyres 24% |
| 2013 | 17,632 | Tyres 30% |
| 2012 | 17,731 | Tyres 30% |
| 2011 | 3,218 | Tyres 31% |
| 2010 | 1,982 | Tyres 30% |
| 2009 | 2,128 | Suspension 33% |
| 2008 | 2,430 | Suspension 37% |
| 2007 | 2,675 | Suspension 43% |
| 2006 | 2,292 | Suspension 43% |
| 2005 | 1,153 | Suspension 46% |
| 2004 | 829 | Suspension 48% |
| 2003 | 630 | Suspension 39% |
| 2002 | 523 | Brakes 39% |
| 2001 | 360 | Suspension 43% |
| 2000 | 232 | Suspension 41% |
| 1999 | 174 | Brakes 44% |
| 1998 | 167 | Brakes 38% |
| 1997 | – | Too few tests |
| 1996 | – | Too few tests |
| 1995 | – | Too few tests |
| 1994 | – | Too few tests |
| 1993 | – | Too few tests |
| 1992 | – | Too few tests |
| 1991 | – | Too few tests |
| 1990 | – | Too few tests |
| 1989 | – | Too few tests |
| 1988 | – | Too few tests |
| 1987 | – | Too few tests |
| 1986 | – | Too few tests |
| 1985 | – | Too few tests |
| 1984 | – | Too few tests |
| 1983 | – | Too few tests |
| 1982 | – | Too few tests |
| 1981 | – | Too few tests |
| 1980 | – | Too few tests |
| 1979 | – | Too few tests |
| 1978 | – | Too few tests |
| 1975 | – | Too few tests |