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M Buyers Guide

Inspection checklist

X5 M E70, 2010 to 2013

Printed November 1, 2026. Tick each item at the viewing, and write down what you find.

Before you go

  • Open recalls. Run the VIN through NHTSA or a BMW dealer and ask for proof every recall was done.
  • History report. Check the title, accidents, owners and mileage record.
  • Service records. Ask for them in advance, ideally from a BMW dealer or specialist.
  • Independent inspection. Book a pre-purchase inspection with a shop that knows this engine.

Known problems on this car

  • Turbocharger failure about $8,000 to fix

    Look for turbo work in the records, watch for smoke from the tailpipe after a long idle and under hard acceleration, and have a shop scan for boost faults and check for oil in the intake piping.

  • Valve stem seals about $6,000 to fix

    Look for blue smoke at a cold start and when accelerating after a long idle, ask how much oil it uses between changes, check the spark plugs for oil fouling, and ask for receipts if the seals have been done.

  • Fuel injector failure about $4,500 to fix

    Ask a BMW dealer to confirm by VIN that the injector service action is closed, check for a rough cold start and misfire codes, and ask whether the injectors are index 11 or later.

  • Hot-vee coolant leaks and pump failures about $3,000 to fix

    Watch the coolant level and the temperature on a long drive, look for dried coolant on top of the engine, around the turbos and under the car, and ask which cooling parts have been replaced.

  • Oil leaks and oil consumption about $1,500 to fix

    Ask how often it needs topping up, look for wet oil at the back of the engine and around the turbos, and ask a dealer to confirm the crankcase vent line service action is closed.

At the viewing

  • Receipts for valve stem seals.
  • Turbos.
  • Injectors and cooling work.
  • A dealer check by VIN that the injector and crankcase vent line service actions.
  • The auxiliary coolant pump recall and.
  • On 2011 to 2013 cars.
  • The front driveshaft recalls (16V-311 and 17V-138) are closed.
  • No blue smoke on a cold start or hard acceleration.
  • Oil use you can live with.
  • No wet oil or dried coolant on top of the engine or under the car.
  • A pre-purchase inspection and fault-code scan by a shop that knows this engine.
  • A level stance with no suspension or Adaptive Drive warnings.

Recalls to confirm

  • Auxiliary coolant pump recall 2010 to 2012 cars

    Run the VIN through NHTSA or a BMW dealer and ask for proof the recall work was done.

Notes

From the X5 M E70 guide at M Buyers Guide. Repair costs are the guide's estimates, not quotes; the guide says where each comes from. Problems and costs as of the date printed.