BMW 5 Series review - Reliability & safety

The BMW 5 Series is too new to have featured on our annual Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but BMW as a brand has performed disappointingly in recent years. In 2023, the brand came in 21st place out of 32 manufacturers in terms of overall satisfaction, ahead of rivals Audi (30th) and Mercedes (25th) but behind Porsche (first) Lexus (eighth) and Jaguar (10th).

In terms of reliability alone, 22% of BMW owners reported an issue with their car in the first year, which is a slightly lower proportion than average. Time will tell whether the 5 Series turns out to be a reliable car itself.

How safe is the BMW 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series was tested by Euro NCAP in 2023 and achieved the full five-star rating, getting high scores in the adult occupant protection category (89%), child occupant protection category (85%), vulnerable road user category (86%) and safety assist category (78%). 

What are the BMW 5 Series service intervals?

BMW recommends servicing its cars every year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW offers a BMW Service Inclusive plan when you buy your car which can cover it for the first four years after registration as part of a one-off price – this includes MOT Protect, which ensures BMW will cover the costs of repairs and replacement in the unlikely event that your car fails its MOT in this time.

What is the warranty on the BMW 5 Series?

BMW’s warranty is on par with the industry standard, offering up to three years’ cover with no mileage cap – this includes roadside assistance, just in case you break down. The electric i5’s battery is covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles, as is the 5 Series’ battery on PHEV models. Like its parent company Toyota, Lexus offers a competitive warranty that can last up to 10 years or 100,000 miles if you get it serviced annually with an official dealer, so BMW has a long way to go if it wants to match that brand for peace of mind.