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Rolls Royce Silver Spirit car check

Find out if a Silver Spirit has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

MOT failure rate
6.3%16 tests
Known problems
5across Silver Spirit
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Silver Spirit are you looking at?

Each Silver Spirit generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Wheel bearing excessive play

    Safety risk Silver Spirit

    The wheel bearings support the considerable weight of this luxury saloon and are subject to high loads from the heavy body and suspension system. Age-related bearing wear is accelerated by the vehicle's weight and the hydraulic suspension loading patterns. Failed bearings create serious safety risks through wheel detachment or collapse. MOT data shows bearing failures at 41.3 times the national fleet average, indicating a significant design or loading issue specific to this model.

    What to check: Jack up each corner of the car and support on axle stands. Grasp the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and attempt to rock it - any movement indicates bearing wear. Spin each wheel by hand and listen for grinding, rumbling, or rough rotation - bearings should turn smoothly and quietly. Check fo...

  2. Brake system corrosion and failure

    Safety risk Silver Spirit

    The brake system on these vehicles suffers from corrosion of steel brake pipes and reduced parking brake efficiency due to the car's age and complex hydraulic setup. The parking brake mechanism is integrated with the main brake system and subject to seizure from lack of use - these cars are often stored for long periods. 0 times the average, indicating systemic brake system deterioration.

    What to check: Inspect all visible brake pipes along the chassis and around each wheel - look for rust, corrosion, or wetness indicating fluid leaks. Check the brake fluid reservoir level and colour - fluid should be clear to light amber, not dark brown or black which indicates contamination. Test the parking b...

  3. Hydraulic system fluid leakage

    Wear item Silver Spirit

    The hydraulic system powers the self-levelling suspension, power steering, and ride height control through a network of high-pressure lines, pumps, and accumulators. The system operates at very high pressure and multiple seals, hoses, and connections are prone to failure with age. Leaks cause progressive loss of steering assistance, suspension drop, and environmental contamination. This is the most documented failure mode on Silver Spirit models, with MOT data showing failure rates 52.5 times higher than the national average.

    What to check: Inspect the ground under the car for green hydraulic fluid stains - this fluid has a distinctive bright green colour and oily consistency. Check the hydraulic fluid reservoir (usually mounted high in the engine bay) - the level should be between minimum and maximum marks and the fluid should be c...

  4. Suspension component wear

    Wear item Silver Spirit

    The self-levelling hydraulic suspension system uses shock absorbers and suspension components that are subject to high loads from the vehicle's considerable weight and complex hydraulic operation. Age-related deterioration of seals and mounting components affects ride quality and handling safety. The hydraulic dampers are expensive and difficult to source. MOT data shows shock absorber failures at 2.7 times the fleet average and suspension component wear at 2.1 times average, indicating accelerated wear patterns specific to this suspension design.

    What to check: Inspect each shock absorber for oil leakage - look for wet, oily residue around the shock body and mounting points. Check that the car sits level with no sagging corners which indicates hydraulic or spring failure. Press down firmly on each corner of the car and release - it should return to norm...

  5. Exhaust system corrosion and mounting failure

    Wear item Silver Spirit

    The exhaust system on these vehicles is extensive due to the V8 engine configuration and long wheelbase. The system includes multiple silencers, connecting pipes, and mounting points that are subject to corrosion from age and moisture. Failed mountings allow the exhaust to contact the underfloor or suspension components, creating noise and potential damage. MOT data shows exhaust failures at 8.6 times the fleet average, reflecting the challenges of maintaining original exhaust systems on vehicles of this age.

    What to check: Inspect the visible exhaust system from the rear - look for rust holes, hanging sections, or contact marks where pipes touch the underfloor. Check all exhaust mounting points for broken or perished rubber hangers. Look for black soot stains around joints which indicate gas leaks.

Silver Spirit MOT results

6.3%

of Silver Spirit MOT tests end in a fail, from 16 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Power steering faultSteering
  2. Wheel bearings wornSuspension
  3. Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r...Brakes

Check the Silver Spirit you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Silver Spirit questions

Is the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit reliable?

6.3% of Silver Spirit models fail their MOT based on 16 tests analysed. That’s better than average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being wheel bearing excessive play. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit?

The most serious known issues are wheel bearing excessive play, brake system corrosion and failure, hydraulic system fluid leakage. Our car check flags whether a specific Silver Spirit has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Silver Spirit has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Silver Spirit faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Silver Spirit is power steering fault. 6.3% of Silver Spirit models fail overall, based on 16 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Silver Spirit

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.