Sell your 2010 BMW 5 Series for cash

The 2010 BMW 5 Series is a wagon that came with a choice of 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl and 4.8L 8-cyl engines. At 16 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2010 BMW 5 Series at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons, Large Cars
Engines3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsManual 6-spd, Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8)
DriveRear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy15–19 city / 22–28 highway / 18–22 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,750–$4,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂404–494 grams per mile
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,616 lb
Versions tested by EPA15 configurations: 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 535i Sport Wagon xDrive and more
Age16 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 16 years old, most of a 2010 5 Series's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2010 5 Series weighed 3,616 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2010 5 Series. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine, typically around 95,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2010 BMW 5 Series recalls

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls covering the 2010 BMW 5 Series. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Engine and Engine CoolingOct 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V707000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable…

Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Engine and Engine CoolingMar 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V119000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i…

Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Engine and Engine CoolingApr 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V248000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S…

Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Engine and Engine CoolingOct 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V683000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Engine and Engine CoolingApr 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V176000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i…

Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Exterior LightingSep 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V407000

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or…

Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical SystemMar 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V126000

BMW is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it…

Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Service Brakes, HydraulicOct 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V446000

BMW is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.

Risk: Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.

Fuel System, OtherJul 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V331000

BMW is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 5-series and 5-series gran turismo passenger vehicles manufactured from january 12 through july 1, 2010. The vehicle's fuel level sensor within the fuel tank can become wedged against the tank.

Risk: If this occurs, the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster would display a larger amount of fuel than was actually in the tank. As a result, if the tank became empty, the vehicle could stall increasing the risk of a crash.

EquipmentFeb 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V047000

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 7-series and model year 2010 550i grand turismo vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110 "tire selection and rims." these vehicle's are equipped with a tire pressure label indicating that the vehicle's seating capacity is five…

Risk: The tire label does not conform to fmvss 110.

Common 2010 5 Series problems

Owners have filed 177 complaints about the 2010 BMW 5 Series with NHTSA. 6 reports involved a crash and 11 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 3 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine40
  • Fuel/Propulsion System34
  • Electrical System31
  • Engine and Engine Cooling20
  • Air Bags19
  • Fuel System, Gasoline17

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine95,000 mi
  • Fuel/Propulsion System89,000 mi
  • Electrical System65,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling114,000 mi
  • Air Bags76,000 mi
  • Fuel System, Gasoline23,000 mi

2010 BMW 5 Series crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 BMW 5 Series, by version tested.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, RWD/4WDNot rated——★★★★☆10.5%
4 Dr, AWDNot rated——★★★★☆10.5%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2010 BMW 5 Series service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 287 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2010 BMW 5 Series. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System58
  • Engine44
  • Equipment37
  • Fuel System18
  • Gasoline13
  • Engine and Engine Cooling11

Recent bulletins

  • OtherDec 2025 · B066425

    Gasket Return

  • Service campaignMar 2025 · B110614

    This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed exclusively for BMWvehicles with the N63 engine. Vehicles with the N63 high performance en

  • OtherDec 2024 · B068824

    Screw Cap Return

  • OtherDec 2024 · B068624

    Socket Housing Return

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2024 · B510819

    The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2024 · B611305

    The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the ba

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Selling a 2010 5 Series: questions

How much is a 2010 BMW 5 Series worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2010 5 Series that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2010 5 Seriess that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2010 5 Series with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2010 BMW 5 Series; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2010 5 Series?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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