Used BMW X5 2000 - 2007 reliability
Category: Luxury SUV
The BMW X5 drives like a 5 Series and has lots of kit, but it's ferociously expensive to own.
What should I look for in a used BMW X5 4x4?
Hard-driven X5s eat through tyres, brakes and steering bushes. And, remember that with a 4x4, it is advisable to change all four tyres at once.
Older diesels experience problems with fuel injection and cracks in the inlet manifolds. They also suffer faults with the air mass sensors, which you can spot on a test drive, if the car runs poorly or there are flat spots when accelerating.
The What Car? Reliability Index, using data from Warranty Direct policy holders, shows repair bills average a nasty £477. The company has also seen an above-average number of claims.
Electrical problems are the most common, followed by trouble from the brakes and fuel system. Repairs are usually quick and straightforward, however.
Despite this, most owners writing on whatcar.com heap praise on their X5, many readily buying another come trade-in time. However, there are also a few tales that belong in the 'worst car I ever bought' file, so it pays to thoroughly check over any car before you buy.
