BMW: previous owners, selling, and privacy settings
Last checked: 28 Sep 2026
BMW's connected services: My BMW app, BMW ConnectedDrive. Only the main user can hand over the main-user role, so ask the seller to do it. Selling takes an unlink 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.
BMW's UK pages don't describe a route for a buyer whose seller didn't unlink, so ask the seller to hand over the main-user role, or contact BMW.
- 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 accountIn the app
My BMW appBMW's terms say the seller must end the link to the car, delete personal data and notify BMW.
BMW's terms don't give the app menu path.
- 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, and what a buyer can do if the seller didn't hand over the main-user role. Menu paths can differ by model and software version; each one here is for the version its source names.
Sources
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/My-BMW-App-Vehicle-Manage-users-mLGQI?language=en_GB
- bmw.co.uk/uk/s/article/BMW-iDrive-Personalisation-Main-user-OS8-Change-main-user-cSoar?lan
- customer.bmwgroup.com/pm2/pm-document-service/api/v1link/documents/policyName/BMW_CONNECTE
- 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
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