Is the BMW 5 Series F10 reliable?

Our reliability score for the BMW 5 Series F10 is 3.5/10 (35/100), which puts it as unreliable by our scoring. Major issues are common before 150,000 miles. RepairPal rates it 2/5.

How much does it cost to own a BMW 5 Series F10 per year?

Total estimated annual ownership cost for a BMW 5 Series F10 is approximately $3,990 for a 25-year-old male driver. This includes fuel at current US average prices, insurance, scheduled maintenance, tires, and oil changes. The 40-year-old female estimate is $3,710.

What is the BMW 5 Series F10 gas mileage?

EPA combined fuel economy for the BMW 5 Series F10 is 24 MPG, with 20 MPG city and 30 MPG highway.

What years does the BMW 5 Series F10 cover?

This generation of the BMW 5 Series was sold from 2011 to 2016.

Is the BMW 5 Series F10 safe?

Our safety score for the BMW 5 Series F10 is 9.5/10 (95/100), which means it is genuinely safe by current data. IIHS rates the crash protection good. NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Is the BMW 5 Series F10 a good first car?

Not according to our criteria. Good first cars need a safety score 7.5+, insurance under $2,200/yr for a 25-year-old male, repairability score 7.0+, low rollover risk, and compact dimensions. The BMW 5 Series F10 misses on at least one of these.

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BMW 5 Series F10

11-16 · BMW 5 Series

65out of 100

A deeply depreciated executive sedan with inline-6 performance and a well-finished interior at a fraction of its original price.

Scores last updated: January 1, 2025

Score breakdown

35/ 100Reliability×2.5 53/ 100True Annual Cost×1.5 95/ 100Safety×2.5 65/ 100Practicality×2.0 80/ 100Repairability×1.5

82/ 100Long-Distance Comfort

76/ 100Enthusiast Appeal

High annual cost and repair complexity offset by luxury, comfort, and safety. Best buy as a 3-year-old pre-owned with remaining warranty.

Our take

What it really is

A capable executive sedan with the N55 inline-6 and a well-finished interior. Electronics-heavy.

Why it's on this list

F10 535i models drop to sub-$20,000 with 60-80k Miles. An S550 alternative at roughly half the long-term ownership cost.

The honest trade-offs

Electronics are complex and expensive. Water pump, cooling system, and air suspension (if equipped) need proactive attention. Oil leaks common at 100k+.

What to buy and what to avoid

535i with the N55 single-turbo inline-6. 2013+ for updated iDrive. Skip air suspension unless the seller has service records for it. xDrive only if you need AWD.

Annual cost of ownership

Premium fuel. Executive sedan maintenance budget.

Fuel (12k mi)

$2,980 (USD)^[5]

Maintenance

$1,400 (USD)^[1]

Tires (prorated)

$850 (USD)

Insurance (25yr male)

$1,680 (USD)^[8]

Insurance (40yr female)

$1,400 (USD)^[8]

Total (25yr male)

$3,990 (USD)

Total (40yr female)

$3,710 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined

24^[5]

MPG city / hwy

20 / 30^[5]

Tank

18.5 gal^[5]

Engine

2.0L TwinPower Turbo I4 / 3.0L I6

Horsepower

300 hp

Torque

300 lb-ft

Seats

Cargo (behind 2nd row)

14 cu ft

Cargo max

14 cu ft

Tow capacity

2,000 lbs

Ground clearance

5.5"

Stock tires

225/55R17

Body

Sedan (trunk)

Rear seats

40/20/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall

5/5 ★^[2]

Rollover risk

16.8%^[2]

IIHS rating

Good^[4]

ESC standard

Yes

Driver assists

Optional lane departure, active cruise on later models

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity

Low

Frame rust risk

Minimal

Salt belt impact

Moderate

Better corrosion protection than older BMWs. Wheel wells and lower rocker panels worth inspecting.

Known issues by mileage

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Water pump and thermostat failureMajor$700 (USD)

Replace proactively at 80k with water pump kit

100,000-150,000 Miles (161,000-241,000 KM)

Valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasketModerate$400 (USD)

Common oil leaks on I6 engines over 100k

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Air suspension failure (if equipped)Major$1,500 (USD)

Consider coilover conversion. $400-600 per corner.

Best and worst years

Best years

2014N55 engine well-proven; pre-emissions pressure
2015Best iDrive version; N55 reliability peak

Years to avoid

2011Launch year; oil consumption and cooling issues more common

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost

$1,280 (USD)^[1]

Industry avg annual cost

$652 (USD)^[1]

RepairPal rating

2/5^[1]

Unscheduled visits/yr

1.1^[1]

Severe issue probability

18%^[1]

250k-mile survival

25%^[7]

Repairability

Headlight type

Halogen

DIY replacement cost

$65 (USD)

At major retailer

Yes

Headlight benchmark

8/10

Parts available but pricey. Valve cover gaskets, water pump, and coolant expansion tank commonly need replacement.

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

[1]dataset
RepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
[2]government
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
[3]government
NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
[4]dataset
IIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
[5]government
EPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
[6]forum thread
CarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
[7]dataset
iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
[8]publication
Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a BMW 5 Series?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist