Would a BMW 520d suit me for low mileage?

Would the new shape 2010 BMW 520d with 100,000 miles on the clock be a bad buy? I do very small mileage.

Frank Cronin (Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Frank,

The new-shape BMW 5 Series is a fabulous car, especially if it has the right equipment, such as a leather interior, etc. The 520d is nothing short of fantastic when new, though we've heard reports that this 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine can have expensive problems as it gets older - especially if oil maintenance is not adhered to strictly. If the one you're looking at has a detailed service history then there's less worry.

However, if you do very small mileage we'd question why you're going for a diesel car at all. The fuel economy might be tempting, but you should look around and see what petrol models you can get for your money too, as modern petrol engines are improving in terms of fuel economy and emissions - and they're generally cheaper to buy and maintain. They're also quieter and far better suited to low mileage use.

Let us know how you get on

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D