How many BMW 5 Series are left in New Zealand?
Uncommon 1 in 607 on the road Built 1973-2026 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
BMW's mid-size executive saloon, launched in 1972 as the replacement for the 'New Class' four-doors and the first car to use the company's Series naming. It has been through eight generations since, as a saloon and Touring wagon, and gave rise to the M5.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 2011: 652 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1973 | 3 |
| 1974 | 6 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1977 | 3 |
| 1978 | 4 |
| 1979 | 4 |
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 13 |
| 1983 | 12 |
| 1984 | 15 |
| 1985 | 28 |
| 1986 | 60 |
| 1987 | 56 |
| 1988 | 51 |
| 1989 | 68 |
| 1990 | 82 |
| 1991 | 52 |
| 1992 | 48 |
| 1993 | 93 |
| 1994 | 100 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 112 |
| 1997 | 148 |
| 1998 | 132 |
| 1999 | 161 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 247 |
| 2002 | 199 |
| 2003 | 216 |
| 2004 | 271 |
| 2005 | 394 |
| 2006 | 627 |
| 2007 | 626 |
| 2008 | 369 |
| 2009 | 334 |
| 2010 | 589 |
| 2011 | 652 |
| 2012 | 407 |
| 2013 | 298 |
| 2014 | 157 |
| 2015 | 105 |
| 2016 | 88 |
| 2017 | 280 |
| 2018 | 165 |
| 2019 | 88 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
By generation
How many of each generation are still registered.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation · E12 | 1972–1980 | 38 | Rare |
| Second generation · E28 | 1981–1987 | 186 | Scarce |
| Third generation · E34 | 1987–1996 | 537 | Scarce |
| Fourth generation · E39 | 1995–2004 | 1,404 | Uncommon |
| Fifth generation · E60 | 2003–2010 | 2,621 | Uncommon |
| Sixth generation · F10 | 2009–2016 | 2,296 | Uncommon |
| Seventh generation · G30 | 2016–2023 | 622 | Scarce |
By badge
The versions the register records, most numerous first.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 525i | 1,427 | Uncommon | |
| 530i | 1,206 | Uncommon | |
| 528i | 713 | Scarce | |
| 523i | 692 | Scarce | |
| 540i | 663 | Scarce | |
| 535i | 426 | Scarce | |
| 530d | 406 | Scarce | |
| 550i | 400 | Scarce | |
| 520i | 280 | Scarce | |
| 545i | 146 | Rare | |
| 520d | 144 | Rare | |
| 530e | 132 | Rare | |
| 535d | 122 | Rare | |
| 525e | 73 | Rare |
What Uncommon means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 7,704 still registered, the BMW 5 Series is Uncommon: the grade for cars with 1,200 to 7,999 left.
By how many are left it ranks 4th of the 53 BMW models and 121st of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.