BMW celebrates its 110th anniversary: Two out of every three BMWs on the road pose some kind of risk

Transparency note: This press release was originally published in Spanish. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.

• 55% of BMW cars have sustained some form of damage, a figure higher than the national average (39%)

• BMW cars have an average mileage of 208,000 km and an average age of 15 years; 54% are 15 years old or older

• 7 out of 10 BMW cars have had more than one owner, and each car has had an average of 3.5 owners

Madrid, April 16, 2026 – BMW has established itself as a leading brand in the Spanish automotive market. To mark this anniversary, CARFAX, a leading provider of vehicle history reports, has conducted an analysis of the BMW vehicle fleet in Spain, revealing key data on vehicle age, average mileage, usage patterns, and risks associated with their service history.

The company was founded on March 7, 1916, as an aircraft engine manufacturer, but quickly evolved into the production of technologically advanced vehicles—a focus it maintains more than a century later as a leading brand with a strong international presence.

Data from the CARFAX analysis provides detailed insights into the condition of the more than 1 million BMW cars on the road in Spain, offering a clear picture of their performance within the national vehicle fleet, particularly regarding their exposure to certain risks stemming from their use, age, and presence in the used car market.

2 out of every 3 BMW cars on the road have some associated risk

One of the key points of the analysis is the presence of associated risks in the vehicles. It is important to emphasize that these risks do not necessarily imply safety issues or affect the quality of the vehicle, but they are crucial for understanding a car’s history, as they provide key information about its background and traceability.

According to the data, 66% of BMWs on the road present some type of associated risk, a figure higher than the 51% recorded for the national vehicle fleet as a whole. Among the main factors are previous damage (55%, above the average for the fleet on the road, which stands at 39%), imports (19%, compared to 6% of the general vehicle fleet), use as a rental vehicle (4%, compared to 7% of the rest of the fleet), and mileage discrepancies (3%, the same percentage as the overall average), which helps contextualize the distribution of these indicators within the market.

In this regard, CARFAX emphasizes the importance of correctly interpreting this information. Francisco Rudilla, Head of Business Development at CARFAX, notes that “damage records are a natural part of a vehicle’s history throughout its useful life. However, a car with prior damage is not necessarily a bad car; what matters is having transparent information that allows you to understand its complete history and make informed decisions.”

Likewise, the company highlights that the brand’s strong presence in the used-car market makes the transparency of a vehicle’s history a critical factor, especially for cars with higher mileage or those imported from other markets.

208,000 kilometers and 15 years on average

The average mileage of these cars is particularly significant: on average, a BMW has traveled 208,000 kilometers, a figure higher than the national average (171,600 km). This figure varies depending on the region. In the case of Castile and León, the average mileage exceeds 230,000 km, reflecting more intensive use in areas with higher road travel.

Likewise, the distance traveled varies depending on the vehicle’s origin. On the one hand, imported BMWs average 227,000 kilometers (compared to the overall average of 203,000 km), while those from rental fleets average around 143,000 kilometers, slightly above the national average of 133,000 km for this type of vehicle.

In terms of age, BMWs have an average age of 15.4 years, very much in line with the overall vehicle fleet (14.73 years). Furthermore, 54% of the brand’s cars are 15 years old or older, confirming their long service life and their established presence in the used car market.

High turnover in the used car market

One of the key findings of the CARFAX analysis is the turnover of ownership. Only 28% of BMW vehicles have had a single owner, meaning that more than 7 out of 10 cars of this brand have changed hands multiple times over their lifetime.

This figure contrasts with the overall vehicle fleet, where nearly half of all vehicles have had a single owner, and highlights BMW’s dynamism within the used car market.

Along the same lines, each BMW has had an average of 3.5 owners, compared to 2.6 for the national average, which reinforces its appeal within the used car market.

The dominance of diesel and a greater presence in major cities

In terms of fuel type, 65% of BMWs are diesel, reaffirming consumers’ preference for this type of engine and far exceeding the 48% share of the overall vehicle fleet. Gasoline vehicles follow, accounting for 26%, and it is also important to note that nearly 1 in 10 BMWs use renewable energy sources, with 7% being hybrids and 2% electric.

On the other hand, there is a higher concentration of BMW vehicles in large urban centers. Madrid tops the list with 18% of the total, followed by Barcelona (6%) and Valencia (4%), constituting the brand’s main areas of presence in Spain.

More than a century after its founding, BMW maintains a strong presence on Spanish roads, with vehicles known for their durability and mileage. However, CARFAX emphasizes the importance of checking a vehicle’s history before making a purchase, especially for models with higher turnover or those imported from abroad, where having this information can make all the difference in the final decision.

The BMW 3 Series leads the market

The BMW 3 Series is the most common model in the brand’s fleet in Spain, accounting for 36% of all BMW vehicles on the road.

This model also has an average age of 20 years and an average mileage of 242,000 km, which is above the brand average. In terms of condition, 58% show signs of previous damage and 69% have some associated risk, making it one of the ranges with the highest risk exposure in the BMW used car market.

Next are the X models (21%), which are newer and have lower mileage (154,000 km), and the 1 Series (17%), with a higher incidence of associated risks (74%). The 5 Series (12%) stands out for its high average mileage (264,000 km), while the 2 Series (4%) is the youngest in the group, with an average age of just 7 years.