Used 2021 BMW 5 Series for Sale near California

Compare 2021 BMW 5 Series Trims

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to performance-oriented models, catering to various preferences and needs.

• Starting at $23,543
• Best MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 72 hwy
• Most Popular: 530i RWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

530i RWD — "Who It's For"

The 530i RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxury sedan with great features without paying for higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $23,543 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 832 listings
• View 530i RWD listings

530i xDrive AWD — "Who It's For"

The 530i xDrive AWD is ideal for those seeking all-wheel drive capability without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $23,995 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 579 listings
• View 530i xDrive AWD listings

530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD — "Who It's For"

The 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD is perfect for eco-conscious buyers wanting luxury and efficiency in one package.

• Avg. market price: $24,791 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 72 hwy
• Inventory: 94 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD listings

540i RWD — "Who It's For"

The 540i RWD caters to those who desire a powerful engine and luxury features without going for the top-tier model.

• Avg. market price: $32,992 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 167 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 540i RWD listings

530e xDrive Hybrid Plug-in AWD — "Who It's For"

The 530e xDrive Hybrid Plug-in AWD is for buyers wanting hybrid efficiency combined with all-wheel drive versatility.

• Avg. market price: $27,858 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 67 hwy
• Inventory: 76 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 530e xDrive Hybrid Plug-in AWD listings

540i xDrive AWD — "Who It's For"

The 540i xDrive AWD is suited for those who want a sporty driving experience with the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $39,466 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 228 listings
• View 540i xDrive AWD listings

M550i xDrive AWD — "Who It's For"

The M550i xDrive AWD is for performance enthusiasts seeking a luxury sedan with a powerful engine and advanced features.

• Avg. market price: $39,807 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 152 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View M550i xDrive AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 530i RWD

With 832 active listings, the 530i RWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse 530i RWD listings

Best Budget Option — 530i RWD

At $23,543 avg market price — below the lineup median of $27,858 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 530i RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD

The 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD offers impressive efficiency with 59/72 MPG/MPGe.

Browse 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 BMW 5 Series cost?

Prices have softened 7.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 844 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW 5 Series earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its powerful performance, luxurious comfort, refined interior, and handling, which fits a midsize luxury sedan that blends sportier-than-average driving dynamics with the tech and luxury features expected in its class. The 2021 refresh also adds a bigger infotainment touchscreen and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, reinforcing its modern feel.

The main trade-offs are that it is less of a true enthusiast sedan than older 5 Series models and that advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, if you want a refined luxury sedan with strong tech and a broad powertrain lineup, it remains a compelling choice.

With 33.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s meaningful room to find a competitive price.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a car that feels dependable in daily use, with owners highlighting its refined comfort, strong performance, and classy interior as reasons they feel good about living with it over time. That kind of praise matters when you’re trying to judge whether a used luxury sedan will be easy to count on.

The expert review also describes the 5 Series as a polished, well-engineered sedan with a strong balance of performance and luxury. BMW’s standard warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles, with four years of free roadside assistance.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that this is a complex luxury car, so condition and maintenance history matter more than they would on a simpler sedan.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW 5 Series?

At 73.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has higher mileage or multiple options packages. Focus on signs of prior bodywork, uneven panel gaps, tire wear, brake condition, and whether the electronics and driver-assistance features operate correctly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 5 Series has a restrained design, a refreshed exterior, and a cabin that keeps the familiar BMW layout. Lower trim levels get standard SensaTec upholstery rather than real leather, while Dakota leather and Nappa leather are available at extra cost.
• Powertrain: The base 530i uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 540i adds a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, and the 530e plug-in hybrid combines a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for electric-only driving capability.
• Safety package: Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.
• Infotainment: You get a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with iDrive 7, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot are also standard.
• Fuel efficiency: The 540i mild-hybrid model is rated at 26 mpg combined, with 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The 530i can do zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and the 530e can drive solely on electric power for significant distances.

Which 2021 BMW 5 Series trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is offered in 3 trim levels: 530i, 540i, and 530e.

Here's the short version:

• 530i: This is the entry point, but it still gives you the refreshed styling, the 12.3-inch touchscreen, the digital instrument cluster, and the standard safety and connectivity features. It’s the best-value choice if you want the 5 Series experience without paying for extra power.
• 540i: This is the sweet spot if you want stronger performance and the 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It adds the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and feels more upscale and more powerful, making it the best fit if you care about the car’s driving character.
• 530e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid setup and the ability to drive on electric power for significant distances. It’s the right pick if efficiency and short-range electric driving matter more than outright performance.

The safety package is a real consideration here: advanced driver-assistance features are not standard, so you may want to prioritize a car equipped with the Driving Assistance Plus Package.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW 5 Series?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough price softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 844 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,456, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 BMW 5 Series's resale value?

The current average of $28,456 sits slightly below last year's $30,776.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy more affordably now but may also mean slower appreciation if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key is to buy well and keep the car in strong condition so you’re not competing against a softer market.

Because the year-over-year change is negative, resale value will likely depend heavily on trim, mileage, condition, and equipment. Well-optioned examples with desirable features should hold buyer interest better than stripped or heavily worn cars.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series safe?

The 2021 BMW 5 Series hasn’t been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but the virtually identical 2020 model received a “Top Safety Pick+” award from IIHS, with top “good” scores in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tests. The standard headlights were only rated “marginal,” however, while optional lights received a “good” rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.

The main caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard, so you should check the equipment list carefully if driver assistance matters to you.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW 5 Series or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.54% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 refresh adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling updates.

The bottom line: If you want the refreshed 2021 5 Series with stronger tech and a softer used-car price than last year, this is the year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still shop carefully and focus on the best-equipped, best-documented examples rather than chasing the cheapest listing.

How does the 2021 BMW 5 Series compare to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 BMW 5 Series:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great ride quality, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great ride quality, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 BMW 5 Series 8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 8.3/10. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class edges ahead on expert score, but both models share the same core strengths: multiple powertrain options, a great ride, and impressive technology. The BMW stands out as the more affordable used buy here, while the E-Class carries a higher average used price and slightly stronger deal share. If you want the better value, the 5 Series is the easier one to justify; if you want the higher-scoring alternative, the E-Class is the one to cross-shop.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.