BMW has stopped car sales to police forces following an inquest on the death of a police officer in a crash attributed to an engine fault.

BMW UK is now prioritising sales to retail and corporate customers

PC Nick Dumphreys was responding to an emergency call on 26 January 2020 when his patrol car flipped on the M6 due to a fault with the BMW 330’s engine.

The inquest, held in December 2022, heard that the fault with the N57 engine – also used in  530d and X5 models – had been linked to other vehicle failures since 2014. While BMW had issued guidance on reducing oil change intervals and increasing the grade of oil, many forces had stopped using the cars or put them on other duties,

BMW said the problem with the N57 engine was due to the “particular way” police use the vehicles for high-speed chases. It added that there was “no need for action on any civilian vehicles”.

In the case of the crash on the M6, the engine fault caused a “catastrophic failure”, causing an oil leak, according to coroner Robert Cohen.

Carlisle coroner Robert Cohen recorded a conclusion of accidental death and said PC Dumphreys, who was an advanced driver, could not have prevented the crash.

The corner added that while PC Dumphreys attempted to recover the vehicle swerving, there was “nothing he could have done to avoid the situation”.

A spokesperson for BMW UK has confirmed that it’s closed its International & Specialist Sales Division, located at its Park Lane, Mayfair, dealership, and entered into a consultation period with impacted staff.

They continued: “With high demand for our cars continuing to outstrip supply, we will be prioritising sales to our retail and corporate customers in the future and moving away from some areas of our authorities and specialist business. BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured.”

PC Dumphreys’ widow commented that “finally the correct decision” had been made but said she thought the cars should have been removed from service a long time ago.

It has been suggested that BMW’s move could pre-empt a wider trend for OEMs to exit the police sector amid declining vehicle supplies and high demand in other market sectors.

Speaking to Fleet World, an anonymous fleet industry expert said: “Extreme discounts and permanent goodwill warranty do not balance the potential benefits of ‘exposure’. Especially when there is so much pressure on limited supply and a strong retail demand, equalling a better profit opportunity.”

They added such a move could have significant effects on public sector budgets and the ability to meet operational targets.