The BMW 5 SERIES (1996-03) 530D 4DR SALOON SPORT AUTO AEGEAN BLUE is a large, premium four-door diesel saloon, aimed at buyers wanting more space and comfort than a family hatchback. In the UK market, it sits among established executive cars, competing with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6. Its automatic gearbox and Sport trim give it a relaxed, purposeful character. Mycarcheck.com records 78 look-ups covering 35 distinct VINs, a useful but modest snapshot of buyer interest. The checks show an average private-sale valuation of £1,300 and average recorded mileage of 176,000 miles; average annual mileage is 8,000. Cars in this group had about six previous keepers on average, so check the individual history carefully. Room and relaxed diesel performance suit commuters and families wanting comfortable longer trips, rather than learners seeking a small runabout. Compared with newer rivals, age makes condition and maintenance history important to check before buying.