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Buying a BMW X5 on the Isle of Wight

1 BMW X5 advertised on the island.

Before you buy

Test the gearbox from cold

Ask when the gearbox was last serviced. On the test drive, check it pulls away smoothly, changes without jerks and holds on a hill.

Automatic or manual for island hills and traffic?

Diesels and short trips

Most island journeys are short. Ask how the particulate filter (DPF) has been looked after, and think about whether your trips suit a diesel.

Diesels, DPFs and short island journeys

Read the MOT history

It's free on GOV.UK with the registration. Look for advisories that come back year after year and gaps in the mileage.

How to read a car's MOT history

Look underneath for rust

Sea air is hard on island cars. Check the sills, subframes and brake pipes, and watch for corrosion advisories on the MOT.

Salt air and rust: checking an island car

Cars by make

Abarth 4Audi 32BMW 28Bentley 2Citroen 58Cupra 7DS 3Dacia 41Ferrari 1Fiat 27Ford 84Honda 18Hyundai 30Jaecoo 1Jaguar 8Jeep 5Kia 57Land Rover 34Lexus 1Lotus 1MG 11Mazda 16Mercedes-Benz 49Mini 26Mitsubishi 6Nissan 59Peugeot 52Pilote 1Porsche 7Renault 32Seat 19Skoda 34Smart 5SsangYong 1Suzuki 43Toyota 54Vauxhall 56Volkswagen 91Volvo 18