Known APK problem
BMW 5-serie G31: springs and shock absorbers
On the BMW 5-serie G31 the APK inspector finds springs and shock absorbers problems 5.9× as often as on cars of the same age: at 9–10 years 4.6%, against about 0.8% 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 G31s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | 5-serie G31 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 – 6 years | C | 0.4% | 0.2% | 1.7× |
| 7 – 8 years | C | 2.6% | 0.5% | 5.6× |
| 9 – 10 years | C | 4.6% | 0.8% | 5.9× |
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 9–10 years
| Model | Springs and shock absorbers | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 5-serie G31 | 4.6% | 5.9× |
| Volvo V90 / S90 II | 0.9% | 1.1× |
| Peugeot 508 I | 2.1% | 2.6× |
| BMW 4-serie F32/F36 | 0.2% | 0.7× |
Looking at a BMW 5-serie G31? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other BMW 5-serie G31s of the same age.
All weak spots of the BMW 5-serie G31 · Springs and shock absorbers: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 5-serie G31 often have springs and shock absorbers problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 9–10 years the inspector found a springs and shock absorbers defect on 4.6% of inspected BMW 5-serie G31s, against about 0.8% of all cars of the same age (5.9×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the springs and shock absorbers on a used BMW 5-serie G31?
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