Used 2021 BMW 5 Series for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 BMW 5 Series cost?

Prices have softened 28.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 33 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for shoppers comparing this model year.

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, while the overview frames it as a midsize luxury sedan that blends sportier-than-average driving dynamics with the tech and luxury features expected in this class. That makes it a strong fit if you want an executive sedan that still feels engaging behind the wheel. With 51.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is also healthy market opportunity for shoppers who are ready to compare examples carefully.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with praise for its refined character, comfort, and performance that owners feel good about over time. The expert assessment also describes the car as well engineered and notes that BMW’s broader package of technology and luxury features helps it feel like a serious long-term premium sedan. BMW’s warranty coverage is four years or 80,000 km, with four years of roadside assistance, which can help early ownership confidence.

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

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Lower trim levels get standard SensaTec upholstery rather than real leather, while Dakota leather and Nappa leather are available at extra cost. The cabin is understated and BMW-specific, but the standard leather-wrapped sport steering wheel may feel out of place to some shoppers.
• Powertrain: The base 530i uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the 540i adds a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The 540i is not capable of driving solely on electric power.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes 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, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice control, and gesture controls are included.
• Fuel efficiency: The 540i mild-hybrid powertrain is rated at 9.1 L/100 km combined, 10.3 L/100 km city, and 7.6 L/100 km highway.

Which 2021 BMW 5 Series trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is offered in 2 trim levels: 530i and 540i.

Here's the short version:

• 530i: This is the better-value choice if you want the core 5 Series experience at the lowest entry price. You still get the standard xDrive all-wheel drive, the 12.3-inch touchscreen, the digital instrument cluster, and the full base safety suite, so it covers the essentials well.
• 540i: Choose this if you want the stronger six-cylinder engine and the added smoothness and punch that come with it. It suits you best if you care more about performance and refinement than keeping purchase price down.

The standard safety package is strong, but the more advanced driver-assistance features remain tied to the available Driving Assistance Plus Package.

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

It looks like a buyer’s market for this model year, especially if you are comparing multiple listings and waiting for the right example.

• Deal availability: 51.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 33 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 28.94% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $31,549 CAD, 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 $31,549 CAD sits slightly below last year's $44,398 CAD.

That drop suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can be good news if you are buying now but less favourable if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that this model year may need strong condition, desirable equipment, and clean history to stand out against similarly priced alternatives. The current pricing also implies that depreciation has been meaningful, so holding value will depend heavily on how well the car is maintained and equipped.

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 2020 BMW 5 Series earned a “Top Safety Pick+” award from IIHS, with top “good” scores in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tests; the standard headlights were rated “marginal,” 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, which can help pull the car onto the shoulder if the driver is incapacitated. The main caveat is the standard headlight rating, which is weaker than the rest of the safety performance.

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:

• 51.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 28.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 refresh brings a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling updates.

The bottom line: If you want the updated 5 Series with stronger tech and a softer used-market price, the 2021 is the one to target. If you are especially price-sensitive, you can also compare nearby years, but the 2021 stands out as the better-balanced buy thanks to its refreshed equipment and improved value positioning.

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

Our experts score the 2021 BMW 5 Series 8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 8.3/10. The BMW is the more affordable option by a wide margin, and it also has a stronger share of good and great deals in the market. The Mercedes-Benz brings a slightly higher expert score and more listings, but the BMW gives you a more compelling value proposition if you want a premium midsize sedan without stretching as far on price.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.