Known APK problem
BMW 5-serie F11: springs and shock absorbers
On the BMW 5-serie F11 the APK inspector finds springs and shock absorbers problems 3.6× as often as on cars of the same age: at 16+ years 9.5%, against about 2.6% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Broken springs or leaking shock absorbers.
How to check it at the viewing
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Ask the seller: Have the shock absorbers or springs ever been replaced?
By age
Share of inspected BMW 5-serie F11s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | 5-serie F11 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 – 10 years | A | 1.2% | 0.8% | 1.5× |
| 11 – 12 years | A | 3.3% | 1.4% | 2.4× |
| 13 – 15 years | A | 5.7% | 2.3% | 2.5× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 0.3% | 1.5% | 0.2× |
| 16+ years | A | 9.5% | 2.6% | 3.6× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 16+ years
| Model | Springs and shock absorbers | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 5-serie F11 | 9.5% | 3.6× |
| Volvo V50 | 6.8% | 2.5× |
| Mazda Mazda6 (GH) | 0.8% | 0.3× |
Looking at a BMW 5-serie F11? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other BMW 5-serie F11s of the same age.
All weak spots of the BMW 5-serie F11 · Springs and shock absorbers: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 5-serie F11 often have springs and shock absorbers problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 16+ years the inspector found a springs and shock absorbers defect on 9.5% of inspected BMW 5-serie F11s, against about 2.6% of all cars of the same age (3.6×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the springs and shock absorbers on a used BMW 5-serie F11?
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know