What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Bentley Arnage.
The Bentley Arnage occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Bentley Arnage range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Bentley Arnage? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Mark IV (1998–2009) — Engine options included the 4.4 BMW V8, 6.75 Bentley V8. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£300–£600 to address).
Final Series (2005–2009) — Engine options included the 6.75 Twin Turbo V8. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£300–£600 to address).
Brake pipe corrosion occurs at 2.9 times the national fleet average, with the trend worsening over recent MOT test cycles. Steel brake pipes are vulnerable to corrosion from road salt and moisture, particularly on the rear axle and underbody runs. On a vehicle weighing over 2.5 tonnes, brake system integrity is critical for safe stopping distances. Corroded brake pipes can fail suddenly, causing complete brake circuit failure.
Corroded brake pipes can fail catastrophically without warning, resulting in complete loss of braking on the affected circuit. On a heavy luxury car, this represents an extreme safety risk. Complete brake pipe replacement typically costs £500-£1,200 depending on extent of corrosion. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with corroded brake pipes.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Coil spring fractures occur at 5.2 times the fleet average on 6.75-litre V8 variants, with failures documented as early as 20,000 miles. The substantial weight of the Arnage, combined with its sophisticated multi-link suspension design, places high stresses on spring components. Spring failure can cause sudden loss of vehicle height, tyre damage from contact with wheel arches, and potentially dangerous handling characteristics.
A fractured coil spring can collapse suddenly, causing the vehicle to drop significantly on one corner. This can damage tyres, affect steering geometry, and create dangerous handling characteristics. In severe cases, broken spring coils can puncture tyres. Complete spring replacement typically costs £600-£1,200 per axle. The vehicle should not be driven with a known broken spring.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Ball joint and suspension component dust covers fail at exceptionally high rates on the Arnage, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 45.6 times the national fleet average. These rubber boots protect critical suspension joints from dirt and moisture ingress. When they split or detach, the underlying ball joints and bushes wear rapidly, leading to expensive suspension rebuilds and potential safety issues through loss of steering precision.
Failed dust covers allow dirt and water to contaminate suspension joints, accelerating wear and leading to complete joint failure. Worn ball joints can separate catastrophically, causing loss of steering control. Replacement of multiple suspension components typically costs £1,500-£3,000 per corner depending on extent of wear.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Shock absorber mounting bushes deteriorate at 13.4 times the national fleet average, particularly affecting higher-mileage Arnage models. These rubber bushes isolate the shock absorbers from the chassis and control vibration transmission. The Arnage's substantial weight and sophisticated suspension geometry places high loads on these components, causing premature failure that affects ride quality and handling precision.
Worn shock absorber bushes cause poor ride quality, reduced handling precision, and accelerated tyre wear. Complete suspension bush replacement typically costs £800-£2,000 depending on how many components require renewal. The car remains safe to drive but handling will be compromised.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Power steering failures occur at 16.9 times the fleet average on 6.75-litre V8 variants, typically manifesting as fluid leaks or pump malfunctions around 60,000-80,000 miles. The hydraulic power steering system on these heavy luxury cars operates under high loads, particularly during parking manoeuvres. Pump failure or significant fluid leakage makes the steering extremely heavy and potentially dangerous in emergency situations.
Power steering failure makes the car extremely difficult to steer, particularly at low speeds and during parking. In emergency situations, increased steering effort could delay avoidance manoeuvres. Power steering pump replacement typically costs £800-£1,500 plus labour and system flushing.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Bentley Arnage common problems page.
Based on 10k real DVSA MOT tests, the Bentley Arnage fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is fluid leak at 80x the fleet average, followed by anti-roll bar links worn (52x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Bentley Arnage MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £150–£250 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include spark plugs (£200–£300), coolant flush (£200–£300), automatic transmission fluid (£300–£500).
See the full Bentley Arnage service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Bentley Arnage has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Bentley Arnage, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Bentley Arnage issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.