Most Reliable Bentley Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 19,522 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Bentley models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
19,522 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Bentley model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Bentley FLYING SPUR
95.3% pass rate
Best Single Year
CONTINENTAL 2007 Petrol
90.1% pass rate
Bentley vs National Average
91.6% vs 71.5%
+20.1% above average
Proven Durability Champion
CONTINENTAL 2007
+32.8% at 13+ years
Bentley has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 19,522 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Bentley models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Bentley model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Bentley Compares to Rivals
Bentley ranks #5 out of 75 manufacturers with a 91.6% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley | 91.6% | #5 | 19,522 |
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Bentley leads its competitors with a 91.6% pass rate. However, newer Bentley models significantly outperform this average.
Best Bentley Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Bentley's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLYING SPUR | 95.3% | +23.8% | 509 | 2014-2016 |
| BENTAYGA | 94.6% | +23.1% | 2,151 | 2016-2020 |
| CONTINENTAL | 91.1% | +19.6% | 13,765 | 2004-2020 |
| ARNAGE | 86.4% | +14.9% | 983 | 2000-2005 |
Top performer
The FLYING SPUR dramatically outperforms other Bentleys with an 95.3% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Bentley Models Age Best?
These Bentley models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTINENTAL | 2007 | Petrol | +32.8% | 13+ years | 90.1% |
| CONTINENTAL | 2005 | Petrol | +30.6% | 13+ years | 87.8% |
| CONTINENTAL | 2008 | Petrol | +30.3% | 13+ years | 87.6% |
| CONTINENTAL | 2006 | Petrol | +29.7% | 13+ years | 87.0% |
| CONTINENTAL | 2004 | Petrol | +29.2% | 13+ years | 86.5% |
| CONTINENTAL | 2011 | Petrol | +27.9% | 11-12 years | 90.8% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The CONTINENTAL 2007 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 33 percentage points, with 1,363 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Bentley CONTINENTAL: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The CONTINENTAL has 13,765 tests in our database with an overall 91.1% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 94.4% | +6.7% | 643 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 94.9% | +8.7% | 781 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 94.7% | +10.5% | 567 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 94.1% | +12.4% | 578 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 93.7% | +15.0% | 853 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 94.1% | +18.6% | 785 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 93.9% | +22.2% | 757 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 94.5% | +26.2% | 732 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 92.1% | +26.4% | 743 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 90.8% | +27.8% | 573 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 90.4% | +29.9% | 541 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 92.6% | +33.5% | 430 |
CONTINENTAL verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 94.4% pass rate.
Bentley Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Bentley's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 95.0% | +23.4% | 536 |
| Petrol | 91.4% | +19.9% | 17,098 |
Bentley Models to Avoid
Not all Bentleys are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTINENTAL GT | 2019 | Petrol | 94.9% (+8.4% vs same-age) | 781 |
| CONTINENTAL GT | 2018 | Petrol | 94.7% (+9.9% vs same-age) | 567 |
| CONTINENTAL GT | 2017 | Petrol | 94.1% (+12.0% vs same-age) | 578 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2015 | Petrol | 94.1% (+16.9% vs same-age) | 785 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2014 | Petrol | 93.9% (+19.5% vs same-age) | 757 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2013 | Petrol | 94.5% (+23.3% vs same-age) | 732 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2012 | Petrol | 92.1% (+23.0% vs same-age) | 743 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2011 | Petrol | 90.8% (+24.2% vs same-age) | 573 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2010 | Petrol | 90.4% | 541 |
| CONTINENTAL | 2008 | Petrol | 87.6% | 902 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2017-2019 petrol CONTINENTAL GTs, 2008-2015 petrol CONTINENTALs are the models that drag down Bentley's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Bentleys?
When Bentleys fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Tyres | 514 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 357 |
| 3. Noise, emissions and leaks | 351 |
| 4. Brakes | 266 |
| 5. Suspension | 161 |
| 6. Visibility | 138 |
| 7. Identification of the vehicle | 107 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Bentley owners:
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check exhaust system for leaks and emissions
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- CONTINENTAL GT 2019 Petrol: 95% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- CONTINENTAL 2004-2011: +30% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Bentley Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 19,522 tests on Bentley vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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