BMW 5 Series Headlights: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

Bulb type, unit part numbers, and the faults that actually cause that flickering or dim light you've noticed.

Illustration for editorial purposes

Opens live listings in a new tab.

BMW 5 Series Headlights: OEM Part Number

Accuracy note: genuinely worth knowing: adaptive or matrix LED headlights on higher 5 Series trims are significantly more expensive to replace than standard units and often can't be sourced secondhand as easily — worth checking whether your car has this feature (usually badged or listed in the spec sheet) before assuming a standard-trim price applies.

A Genuinely Important UK Rule Worth Knowing Before You Buy — BMW 5 Series Headlights

If your 5 Series has factory-fitted halogen headlamp housings, converting them to fit LED bulbs is treated as a definite MOT failure under the current inspection manual — this isn't a grey area or a minor advisory, since a housing designed for halogen doesn't distribute an LED bulb's light output correctly, which can genuinely dazzle oncoming drivers. If you want a genuine LED upgrade, the correct route is a complete headlight unit designed for LED from the factory, not a bulb swap into an existing halogen housing.

Before you buy: matrix LED, adaptive, and cornering headlight systems often require electronic coding to the car after a unit swap, even for a genuine like-for-like replacement — a headlight that isn't recognised by the car's electronics can trigger warning lights or fail to auto-level correctly. Check whether your specific trim has one of these systems before assuming a straightforward bulb-in, bulb-out job.

BMW 5 Series Headlights: What It Does

On the BMW 5 Series, main and dipped beam bulbs — or LED/matrix modules on higher-spec cars — live inside the headlight unit, angled carefully to illuminate the road without blinding oncoming traffic. The daytime running light and front indicator often share that same housing too, adding complexity to both fitment and repair.

BMW 5 Series Headlights: Generations, Derivatives & Headlight Type

F10 (2010–2016), standard trims	Xenon, with Adaptive Xenon as an upgrade depending on options
F10, higher trims	Adaptive LED became available as a further option later in the model run
G30/G31 (2017–present), entry-level	Standard LED — a simple LED projector per headlight with no adaptive function
G30/G31, LCI facelift onward	Adaptive LED becomes standard, with full Laser Light offered as a further option

Find BMW 5 Series Headlights Here!

Opens live listings in a new tab.

BMW 5 Series Headlights: Common Faults, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Headlights Guide for the four bulb technologies and how they differ, UK law on aim and modifications, common faults to check for, how difficult this job is to DIY, and confirming fitment against your VIN.

More BMW Headlights

The same part, covered across other BMW models.