The automotive industry has been heavily affected by the semiconductor shortage which began in 2020, with a shortage of new vehicles leading to a boom in the second-hand car market. You might have been holding out for a brand-new BMW, but the used market can provide you with the opportunity to grab a real deal. You just need to know exactly what you should be thinking about when looking for the right used BMW.

Service History

Always ask to review the service history of any used car you view – gaps in service history can indicate the car was not looked after well, and incomplete service histories might neglect to mention certain major repairs. Newer BMWs make use of digital technology to store service history, meaning a simple insertion of the ignition key can bring up full-service histories on their dashboards with no manuals in sight. Bear in mind that once you’ve purchased your second-hand BMW, you’ll need to invest in regular servicing with a dedicated BMW service provider – this way, you can ensure that your car maintains its value, and runs the best it possibly can.

Bodywork

Be sure to devote a good amount of time to checking over the bodywork on any BMWs you visit for a viewing.  BMWs are renowned for their sleek, well-engineered exteriors, and the look is no doubt part and parcel of their allure for buyers in the second-hand market. If pristine bodywork isn’t a major factor for you, this may be a great way to save a little money while searching for the right BMW – however, the less scratches, dings and evidence of new paintwork, the less likely the vehicle in question has been treated poorly.

Mileage

Mileage has always been on the list of things to check in used cars, and can be an important factor in your decision-making. BMWs with higher mileage might be a cause of concern for you, especially if you don’t want to be saddled with expensive repair costs thanks to wear. However, mileage may not be as important a consideration as it once was, with improvements in car design in recent years– and BMW’s reputation as a reliable brand.

Owner History

Where mileage might not be so much of an issue for used BMWs, the number of owners it’s had over its life may well be. Make sure to discover exactly how many hands the car has passed through before your viewing of it; the more hands it’s passed through, the more likely one or two of those hands ran the car irregularly – or the more likely there’s a major issue that’s keeping this car on the market.

Driving Experience

The last piece of the puzzle is how the car feels to drive. Each different type of BMW has a different handling experience owing to its size, weight and spec, and you should think about exactly what kind of driving experience you would like from your used BMW.