Inspection checklist

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.
• Certified or not. BMW can still certify 2022 and 2023 cars. If this one is certified, ask for the paperwork showing when its cover ends.
• Independent inspection. Book a pre-purchase inspection with a shop that knows this engine.

Known problems on this car

• Carbon buildup about $800 to fix

  Ask about mileage and whether blasting has been done.

• Electronics / iDrive quirks about $250 to fix

  Scan for stored fault codes and test all electronics.

• Transfer case / xDrive components about $500 to fix

  Test all xDrive modes and listen for driveline noise on the test drive.

• Rod bearing wear about $5,000 to fix

  Review oil analysis and tune history, factor in driving style.

• Cooling system / heat management about $2,000 to fix

  Check records for cooling work and monitor temperatures, more important on tracked or tuned cars.

• Fuel injectors damaged by coolant about $2,000 to fix

  Have a BMW dealer check the VIN for the open tank recall and the injector coverage, look for dried coolant around the tank and the top of the engine, and scan for misfire codes on cylinders 5 to 8.

At the viewing

Full service history, cooling and xDrive health, tune clarity, clean accident record, and desirable specs and colors. Decide between a value Competition and a premium CS. Confirm Competition package contents if value depends on it. Check by VIN that recalls and BMW's coolant expansion tank campaign (SIB 17 03 24) are done; cars built from December 2017 to July 1, 2021 have 15-year, 150,000-mile cover for injectors damaged by coolant (SI B01 17 24; BMW confirms eligibility by VIN). For 2019 and 2020 the M5 Competition was its own model; from 2021 it was a package.