By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.

BMW5-series (2010-2017)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£6,489Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

Compare car insurance

Find the right policy for your vehicle using the service provided by Confused.com

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

BMW’s fourth-generation 5 Series, launched in 2010, is a large saloon with an advanced and luxurious specification. How does the 5 Series compare with its main rivals such as the Audi A6, Lexus GS and Mercedes E-Class? Read our full BMW 5 Series (2010-2017) review to find out.

pros

Content has been blurred out, please log in to view.

cons

What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable is the BMW 5-series (2010-2017)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Dec 2025Last checked by Which?
Mar 2010First reviewed by Which?
Mar 2010Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

A blue Volkswagen ID.4 maneuvering around orange traffic cones on a test track, with a grassy hill in the background.

How we test cars

3 Feb 2026

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

Driving performance

Overall
Acceleration
Gearbox and transmission
Brakes

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Car reliability 10-15 years

How we test car reliability 10-15 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£6,489 - £16,884
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	34.1 to 56.5mpg
Length	4,899 to 4,907mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,860mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,100 to 2,110mm
Height	1,464mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	12.25 m
On sale date	20 March 2010
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£11.76

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	520d BluePerformance Automatic
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	70 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	12.46p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£102
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Medium
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	141
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	03 September 2013
Test programme	2012-2016

Engine two
Engine and trim name	520d BluePerformance EfficientDynamics
Fuel	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	70 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11.76p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£102
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	131
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	16 January 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine three
Engine and trim name	520d EfficientDynamics
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	70 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11.85p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£102
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	22 September 2011
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine four
Engine and trim name	530d BluePerformance
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	3-litre (245hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	70 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	16.29p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	11 March 2010
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine five
Engine and trim name	528i auto
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	3-litre (258hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	70 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	18.27p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£85
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	21 June 2010
Car test programme	2001-2012

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

5-series GT (2009-2017)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£5,864Typical price

Test score

Audi

A5 Cabrio (2009-2017)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£5,731Typical price

Test score

Audi

A8 (2010-2018)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£6,033Typical price

Test score

Best electric cars 2026
Our independent lab tests reveal the best electric cars with enough range to go the distance
How we test cars
Every car we review is subjected to hundreds of tests in our lab and on the road. Find out why you can trust our reviews, and how they help you choose the best car (and avoid the worst)
How to find cheap car insurance
Our top tips for getting cheaper car insurance quotes from price comparison sites, and how to haggle with car insurance companies to save money

All new and used car advice

BMW5-series (2010-2017)

where to buy or sell

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Driving performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

Audi

Audi

Related articles

BMW5-series (2010-2017)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

Audi

Audi

Related articles