Known APK problem
BMW 5-serie G31: warning lights
On the BMW 5-serie G31 the APK inspector finds warning lights problems 2.1× as often as on cars of the same age: at 9–10 years 6.5%, against about 3.1% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
A warning light that stays on (for example ABS, airbag or engine fault) points to a fault that has to be read out first.
How to check it at the viewing
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
Ask the seller: Does a warning light ever come on, and has the fault been read out?
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 | B | 0.7% | 0.5% | 1.4× |
| 7 – 8 years | B | 1.2% | 0.4% | 3.1× |
| 7 – 8 years | C | 1.9% | 1.0% | 2.0× |
| 9 – 10 years | C | 6.5% | 3.1% | 2.1× |
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 | Warning lights | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 5-serie G31 | 6.5% | 2.1× |
| Volvo V90 / S90 II | 1.2% | 6.6× |
| Peugeot 508 I | 4.9% | 1.5× |
| Tesla Model S | 0.3% | 1.7× |
| BMW 4-serie F32/F36 | 1.8% | 0.6× |
| Ford Mondeo V | 0.9% | 5.1× |
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 · Warning lights: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 5-serie G31 often have warning lights problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 9–10 years the inspector found a warning lights defect on 6.5% of inspected BMW 5-serie G31s, against about 3.1% of all cars of the same age (2.1×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the warning lights on a used BMW 5-serie G31?
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
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