Un Thaid

I am contemplating the purchase of a used 5 Series BMW with a budget of £20,000 - £22,000. Looking on the Autotrader website I notice that there are a number of companies offering new, high specification 525SE Auto saloons with leather at between £21,500 and £22,000 (list price £35k+). I work on the basis that if something looks too good to be true it probably isn’t true. Are these genuine offers? And what are the pitfalls of purchasing one of these vehicles?

Asked on 6 June 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

Turns out they were assembled in Thailand (which is RHD) in 2004 or 2005, didn't sell (at the then Thai price of £60,000) and eventually came back. Emissions are much higher than Efficient Dynamics 525s, so annual tax is higher. And there is no BMW warranty.

Tags: car prices buying car supermarkets new cars manufacture dates

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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