BMW: previous owners, selling, and privacy settings
Last checked: 14 Oct 2026
BMW's connected services: My BMW app, BMW ConnectedDrive. Adding a used car in the My BMW app deletes the seller's link; on newer cars a reset removes every BMW ID. Selling takes an unlink in the app and a reset.
Bought it used: remove the previous owner
- Main user and co-usersIn the app
My BMW app → Vehicle → Vehicle configuration → User managementThe first BMW ID to add the car becomes its main user. The main user can remove co-users, and only the main user can hand over the main-user role.
If the seller didn't hand over the main-user role, see the next two steps.
- Add a used car still linked to the sellerIn the app
My BMW appBMW's UK FAQ says that when you add a used car to your BMW ID in the My BMW app, any existing connection with another BMW ID is deleted. On cars with Operating System 8 (software from 07/2022) or newer, you're added as a co-user instead if other BMW IDs are still connected, and the main user is emailed.
On those cars, use the reset in the next step to remove every BMW ID.
- Delete all main users and co-usersiDrive OS8 or newer
Apps menu → Vehicle → System settings → Reset vehicle data → ResetBMW's UK FAQ says resetting to factory settings deletes all main users and co-users in the car and in the My BMW app. Each of them gets an email.
The car must be switched off from the drive-ready state, with the keys inside. Settings synced to a BMW ID stay in the BMW Cloud.
- Change main user in the cariDrive OS8
BMW ID icon → Change BMW IDs → Manage BMW IDsManage the BMW IDs linked to the car.
On Operating System 9: BMW ID → Settings → Manage Profiles.
Selling: unlink and wipe
- Remove the car from your BMW IDIn the app
My BMW app → Vehicle → Garage (car icon, top right) → Swipe left on the car → RemoveBMW's UK FAQ says removal is done in the app, not on the My BMW website. You get a confirmation email, and on Operating System 8 or newer your BMW ID is also deleted in the car. The removal is permanent.
BMW's terms also say to delete your personal data, notify BMW and cancel any services you bought.
- Reset vehicle data (OS8, 8.5, 9)iDrive OS8–9
MENU → System Settings → Reset Vehicle DataDeletes personal data from the car. BMW says cars built from November 2020 are also removed from your BMW ID by the reset.
- Reset vehicle data (OS7)iDrive OS7
CAR → Settings → General Settings → Reset vehicle dataDeletes personal data from the car.
- Delete personal data (iDrive 5 and 6)iDrive 5–6
My Vehicle → iDrive settings → Data privacy → Delete personal dataDeletes personal data from the car. On iDrive 4: Multimedia → Profiles → Delete all personal data.
Privacy and offline settings
- Privacy presetsiDrive OS8
MENU → All apps → System settings → PrivacyChoose from all services down to "No service", or pick individually. Emergency calling can't be switched off.
OS7: CAR → Settings → General settings → Privacy. iDrive 6: My Vehicle → iDrive Settings → Data Privacy. The app has a limited selection under Vehicle → Vehicle configuration → Privacy settings.
Good to know
- BMW's ConnectedDrive terms commit to software updates for at least five years for services with no fixed end date.
Not found in BMW's public UK documents: Privacy menu paths for iDrive OS8.5, OS9 and OS X. BMW's UK pages don't mention a proof-of-ownership or customer-services route for buyers. Menu paths can differ by model and software version; each one here is for the version its source names.
More on cars
The cars page compares every brand's steps for buying and selling. For a hire car, see hire cars.
Other brands: Volkswagen, Ford, Kia, Audi, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Tesla, Jaguar Land Rover, Skoda, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Volvo, BYD, Honda, CUPRA, SEAT, Polestar, Renault
Sources
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/My-BMW-App-Vehicle-Manage-users-mLGQI?language=en_GB
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/My-BMW-portal-Add-vehicle-Used-vehicle-after-change-of-owner-pvqTt?
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/BMW-iDrive-from-OS8-Personalisation-Reset-vehicle-data-Delete-all-m
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/BMW-iDrive-Personalisation-Main-user-OS8-Change-main-user-cSoar?lan
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/My-BMW-Portal-Fahrzeug-entfernen-Anleitung-JEj2P?language=en_GB
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/delete-personal-data-Fie7i?language=en_GB
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/BMW-iDrive-Personalisation-Data-protection-OS8-f42WS?language=en_GB
This page describes your options and how organisations say they handle requests. It isn't legal advice. See About & sourcing, or report a correction.