Used BMW 5 Series Touring 2017-2023 reliability

Given that the Touring is an estate, check the condition of its boot carpet for evidence of stains from past load-lugging duties. You should also cast your eyes upwards to the roof lining, too, because some owners might like to load their car up to the roof or put dogs in there.

As with the saloon, the 5 Series Touring could have some pretty large alloy wheels, so check them for signs of kerb damage. Front and rear parking sensors are standard, but you should still look around for any sign of poor paint repairs.

The equipment levels of most BMWs is generous these days, and every 5 Series has plenty of toys as standard, so push every button to make sure they all still work properly.

Crankshaft sensor

A problem with the crankshaft sensor of some examples built from 17 May to 26 June 2018 could lead to the engine going into an emergency reduced power mode, limiting performance. A BMW dealer will be able to confirm if your 5 Series is affected by this and arrange to have the sensor replaced if necessary.

EGR cooler

There have been a few recalls for leaking EGR coolers that apply to various BMW models, but for the 5 Series it affects those built between 2 February and 4 May 2017. With cars from such a broad timescale involved, it's worth contacting your dealer for further information; you'll need to have the vehicle inspected if it is suspected to be one of those affected.

Crankcase bearing bushing

This recall affects some 5 Series models made from 27 July 2018 and 15 May 2019, and concerns a crankcase bearing bushing that might not have been pressed into the engine correctly. This may sound like a minor issue, but cars that are involved will actually need to have a new engine fitted, so speak to a BMW dealer for further information.

Brake switch

A number of 5 Series manufactured from 19-20 May 2017 could have an issue with the brake switch that could leave the brake lights on permanently, even when you're not trying to slow down. Find out from a dealer if your car is affected by this because it'll need to have a new brake pedal assembly fitted if it is.

Reliability rating 97.2%

Petrol BMW 5 Series models are less prone to problems than diesels, with a fault rate of 15% (versus 20%). What’s more, 80% of petrols were fixed for free, versus just 25% of diesels. Forty percent of repairs took a day or less, and only 20% took more than a week. Non-engine electrics were the main weak point.

Our latest reliability data shows petrol 5 Series models in a good light; they finished in second place out of 24 cars with a 97.2% record. Diesel variants scored an excellent 91.8% and the 530e PHEV 89%.

For the full list of executive and luxury saloon cars in our survey click here.

In the same What Car? Reliability Survey, BMW as a brand ranked 12th out of 32 manufacturers, which is respectable. See the full list of manufacturers here.

Used BMW 5 Series: owners' reliability data

Owners told us about their experience with the BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) as part of our annual Reliability Survey. Most of our readers said their cars were proving to be reliable, but minor issues were reported by some owners – mostly relating to the car’s infotainment system, seats and suspension and bodywork.

While readers on the whole seemed satisfied with BMW’s dealers, some noted that the cost of maintenance, as well as some consumable items, were higher than they expected.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.