Carsieve All versions
Show all 13 variants
At a glance
- Years: 2017 to 2020, before the 2020 facelift. G30 saloon and G31 Touring, with diesel and petrol engines and the 530e plug-in hybrid.
- Reliability: 3/5. Significant defects at 6-7 years run above average (22% against 14%), but the TÜV data show no dangerous defects.
- DIY: 2/5. Bulbs and wipers are simple. Recall work, software and fault codes need a dealer or a scanner.
- Biggest risks: the 530e battery recall (fire risk), the diesel OBD software fault (engine stall) and oil loss.
- Prefer: a car with full service records and proof that recalls are done. Check the VIN with a BMW dealer before you buy.
- Avoid: a 530e built from January to September 2020 without proof of the battery recall, and a diesel built from 2016 to 2022 without the software update on record.
Engines and gearboxes
- 2.0 B47 diesel (520d, 525d): the 2018 EGR cooler recall is covered in the B47 guide. The OBD software fault below also applies.
- 2.0 B48 petrol and 530e plug-in hybrid: the 530e battery recall applies only to 530e cars built from 20 January to 18 September 2020. See the recalls table.
- 8-speed automatic (ZF 8HP): no cross-checked fault specific to the G30 in our sources. General faults, fluid service and checks are in the ZF 8HP guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 530e high-voltage battery recall | 530e built 20 January to 18 September 2020 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Diesel OBD software fault (recall) | Four-cylinder diesel (520d, 525d), built 2016 to 2022 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Oil loss | Engine not named; firmenauto says it shows on the newest cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| iDrive, phone link and assistant faults | All G30 and G31 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Active bonnet faults | All 5 Series | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Panoramic roof and interior creaks | Cars with panoramic roof | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- 530e battery recall. If the car is a 530e built from 20 January to 18 September 2020, ask the dealer for proof that the battery recall was done. Bad result: no record of the battery work. The battery can short circuit and catch fire.
- EGR cooler recall (diesel). For a diesel built up to August 2017, check the 2018 EGR cooler campaign by VIN. Bad result: an open campaign, or no proof of EGR module work.
- OBD software recall (diesel). Check the VIN for the OBD software recall covering cars built from 18 August 2016 to 28 February 2022. The workshop update is free and takes about an hour. Bad result: no update on record.
- Oil level. Check the oil on the dipstick when the engine is cold, and again after a drive. Ask for the record of oil top-ups. Bad result: oil added between services. No scanner is needed.
- iDrive and assistants. On a test drive, pair a phone, use the navigation and try the parking assist. A scanner reads stored faults. Bad result: screen dropouts, a phone that will not connect, or false tyre pressure warnings.
- Active bonnet. Drive for a while on a motorway. Bad result: a bonnet that trembles, or a bonnet warning on the dashboard.
- Panoramic roof and rear seat. Open and close the roof in cold weather and listen for creaks. Sit in the rear and check the seatbelt buckles and seat folding for rattles. Bad result: creaks, a roof that jams, or rattles on a cold start.
- Starter recall. Mostly facelift cars. For a car built from July 2020, check the VIN for KBA reference 16790R. Bad result: an open campaign. The fix is a starter replacement.
Running costs
| Operational | €202 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €170 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €224 |
| Total per month | €596 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €128 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 3,116
- 25th percentile
- €19,700
- Median price
- €22,990
- 75th percentile
- €27,950
- Median mileage
- 139,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2019
- Dealer share
- 67%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €27,193
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
530e high-voltage battery recall
Symptoms: the recall warns of a short circuit in the battery cells, which may lead to a fire.
Cause: foreign contaminants may have been sealed into the battery units during assembly.
Which cars: 530e plug-in hybrids built from 20 January to 18 September 2020.
Fix: new battery packs or replacement cells (Auto Express).
Sources: Auto Express: plug-in hybrid battery recall, gebrauchtwagenberater: G30/G31 problems, Auto Express: used 5 Series buyer guide
Diesel OBD software fault (recall)
Symptoms: the engine can lose torque, and in the worst case it stalls.
Cause: a software error in the OBD control unit, the car's diagnostic computer.
Which cars: four-cylinder diesels (520d, 525d) built from 18 August 2016 to 28 February 2022.
Fix: a software update at a workshop, about one hour. Most cars cannot be updated over the air. BMW pays, and the owner gets a confirmation.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: auto motor und sport: OBD software recall, gebrauchtwagenberater: G30/G31 problems, AUTO BILD: TÜV report
Oil loss
Symptoms: the engine uses oil between services. AUTO BILD reports oil loss problems on these cars. firmenauto says it shows up on the newest cars in its test.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: used 5 Series test, firmenauto: 5 Series TÜV report, DRIVE2: 530i owner log
iDrive, phone link and assistant faults
Symptoms: the iDrive connection drops, up to a total failure of the system. Bluetooth fails or drops, mostly with Apple phones. Tyre pressure sensors give false warnings. The park and lane assistant can spin, and parking assist can stop or see obstacles that are not there. The digital instrument cluster fails now and then. Navigation problems appear, especially after updates.
Which cars: all G30 and G31.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: used 5 Series test, gebrauchtwagenberater: G30/G31 problems, CarWiki: BMW 5 Series problems
Active bonnet faults
Symptoms: the bonnet trembles on motorways. In TÜV inspections, the active bonnet (the pop-up bonnet, "aktive Motorhaube") is a common significant defect in middle-aged 5 Series cars.
Which cars: all 5 Series. The TÜV figures cover the 5er and 6er as a whole.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: TÜV report, gebrauchtwagenberater: G30/G31 problems
Panoramic roof and interior creaks
Symptoms: the panoramic roof creaks in cold weather, and the drive mechanism can jam. Interior creaks and rattles are reported. Rear-seat rattles come from the seatbelt buckles or the seat folding mechanism, and they are worse when cold.
Which cars: cars with a panoramic roof.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: used 5 Series test, gebrauchtwagenberater: G30/G31 problems, Auto Express: used 5 Series buyer guide
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK and Germany | not given | Built 20 January to 18 September 2020 (530e) | Short-circuit fire risk in the battery. New battery packs or cells (Auto Express). |
| Germany (KBA) | not given | Built 18 August 2016 to 28 February 2022 | OBD software error can stop the engine. Workshop update, about one hour, BMW pays. |
| UK and Germany | not given | Built August 2010 to August 2017; G30 only to August 2017 | EGR cooler glycol leak, rare fire. Check the EGR module and replace faulty parts. |
| Germany (KBA) and UK | 16790R | Built July 2020 to February 2026 | Starter replaced, in some cases the battery too. Overheating and short-circuit risk. |
The starter recall mostly covers facelift cars. Check open campaigns for your VIN with a BMW dealer.
Maintenance
- Oil: check the level at every fuel stop. Oil loss is reported on these cars.
- Service history: keep the full record, especially for the diesels.
- Software: ask for proof of the OBD update and of any recall work.
Sources
English
- Auto Express: plug-in hybrid battery recall
- Auto Express: used 5 Series buyer guide
- Auto Express: starter recall, 2026
- PistonHeads: EGR cooler campaign, 2018
German
- gebrauchtwagenberater: G30/G31 problems
- AUTO BILD: used 5 Series test
- AUTO BILD: TÜV report
- ADAC: starter recall, 2026
- auto motor und sport: OBD software recall
- CarWiki: BMW 5 Series problems
- firmenauto: 5 Series TÜV report