BMW’s diesel decline accelerates—but these models still depend on it

Diesel engines are losing ground among BMW buyers in Germany, yet some models still rely heavily on them. In 2025, the share of diesel-powered BMWs dropped below 30 percent for the first time. Despite this decline, certain large SUVs and executive cars continue to attract diesel customers in significant numbers.

The shift away from diesel was clear by the end of 2025. In the final quarter, only 26.6 percent of new BMW registrations featured diesel engines. Across the entire year, the trend held, with diesel demand falling to a historic low for the brand.

Yet some models bucked the pattern. The X6 led the way, with 78.2 percent of buyers choosing diesel. The X7 and X5 also saw strong diesel preference, each exceeding 50 percent. Even the X4 and X3 maintained a steady diesel following, with at least a third of customers opting for the fuel type.

Among saloons, the 3 Series and 5 Series remained the only models with five-figure diesel registrations. The 7 Series, though less dominant, still saw a third of its buyers select diesel. Overall, BMW’s diesel share sat at 20.3 percent—well above the broader German market average.

The data confirms a steady decline in diesel popularity for BMW, though large SUVs and luxury saloons retain a loyal diesel customer base. No figures are available yet for 2026, leaving future trends uncertain. For now, the brand’s diesel demand remains higher than the national average but continues to shrink.