Is the 2021 BMW M5 a good car?

The 2021 BMW M5 stands out as a high-performance luxury sedan that blends serious speed with everyday usability. It pairs a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive, and BMW tuned the system for a rear-wheel power bias so you still get a playful character when you want it. For 2021, it also gained refreshed styling and a new iDrive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, which makes it especially appealing if you want modern tech and a more polished driving experience without giving up the M5’s core mission. With 24.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW M5 reliable?

The 2021 BMW M5 is described as relatively new, with no major reported problem areas or concerns. That said, it is still a high-performance car, so you should expect ownership to depend heavily on how well the car was maintained and whether it was modified or driven hard. For used buyers, the long-term risk is less about a known model-wide flaw and more about the cost and consequences of neglected performance-car ownership.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW M5?

At 74.4% 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 from a shop that knows performance sedans. Focus on signs of neglect, abuse, or do-it-yourself tuning, since those issues matter more than mileage alone on a car like this. Condition should be your main filter: a clean, well-documented example is worth more than a cheaper car with unclear service or accident history.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW M5?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and disciplined.

• Deal availability: 24.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 82 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 74.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $66,588.74, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW M5 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:

• 24.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Consider the 2022 if:

• The M5 CS adds carbon-fiber hardware and track-ready performance.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of modern tech, everyday usability, and strong performance, the 2021 is the better primary target. If you’re shopping more for the newest and most extreme version of the formula, the 2022 is the one to compare, but it makes the most sense if you’re willing to pay for the upgrade. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2021 remains the smarter path as long as you verify history and condition carefully.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.