Grand touring royalty at depreciated prices
The Bentley Continental GT is the definitive modern grand tourer — a luxury two-door coupe with W12 or V8 power, all-wheel drive and handcrafted interior. It democratised Bentley ownership when launched in 2003 and appeals to wealthy buyers seeking effortless cross-continent performance wrapped in British luxury. Used examples now offer remarkable value, though running costs remain firmly in the supercar bracket.
We track 5 known issues across the Bentley Continental range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Bentley Continental? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Continental_R (1991–2003) — Engine options included the 6.75L V8 Turbo. Our database flags 2 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Wheel bearing failure with excessive play.
Continental_GT_Mk1 (2003–2010) — Engine options included the 6.0L W12 Twin Turbo, 6.0L W12 Speed. We track 3 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Parking brake control system failure (£300–£600 to address).
Continental_GT_Mk2 (2011–2018) — Engine options included the 6.0L W12 Twin Turbo, 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo. We track 3 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Parking brake control system failure (£300–£600 to address).
Continental R models show significantly elevated wheel bearing failure rates compared to typical luxury vehicles. The combination of high vehicle weight (over 2.4 tonnes) and performance driving loads places exceptional stress on the bearing assemblies. Failed bearings create dangerous handling characteristics and can lead to wheel detachment in extreme cases. The MOT failure rate peaks at nearly 24 times the national fleet average, indicating this is a widespread design-related issue rather than isolated component failures.
Complete bearing failure can cause wheel detachment while driving, creating extreme danger. Even partial failure causes unpredictable handling and rapid tyre wear. Replacement requires specialist knowledge of the suspension geometry and bearing specifications unique to this model.
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.
The Continental GT series suffers from electronic parking brake system failures at rates over 30 times the national average. The system combines electronic actuation with traditional cable mechanisms, creating multiple failure points. Common issues include actuator motor failure, cable stretch, and electronic control module faults. This is particularly problematic as the system cannot be manually released when failed, potentially stranding the vehicle.
System failure can leave the parking brake permanently engaged, preventing vehicle movement, or permanently disengaged, creating a safety hazard on inclines. Repair typically requires replacement of actuator motor assembly and recalibration of the electronic system.
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.
Continental GT models exhibit suspension component wear at nearly 10 times the fleet average due to the combination of high kerb weight (2.4+ tonnes) and performance-oriented suspension tuning. Lower arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and ball joints suffer accelerated deterioration. The air suspension variants are particularly susceptible as the system maintains ride height under load, placing constant stress on rubber components.
Worn suspension components compromise handling safety and accelerate tyre wear. Multiple components typically require replacement simultaneously due to the interconnected suspension design. Alignment will be disturbed and must be reset after component replacement.
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.
Continental GT models show engine management light activation at over The complex twin-turbo W12 and V8 engines use multiple lambda sensors, catalytic converters, and secondary air injection systems that are prone to failure. Carbon build-up on intake valves is common on direct-injection engines, affecting mixture control and emissions compliance.
Emissions system failures cause MOT failure and may indicate serious engine internal issues. Catalytic converter replacement is extremely expensive on multi-bank engines. Carbon cleaning may be required on direct injection variants to restore proper combustion.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The Continental R shows fluid leakage rates over The high-performance turbo V8 engine operates under significant stress, accelerating seal deterioration. Transmission oil cooler lines and pump seals are common failure points. While often starting as minor seepage, these leaks can progress to environmental hazard levels requiring MOT failure.
Progressive seal failure leads to fluid loss and potential component damage. Environmental contamination from excessive leakage causes MOT failure. Early attention to minor leaks prevents more expensive component damage from running low on fluids.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Bentley Continental common problems page.
Based on 77k real DVSA MOT tests, the Bentley Continental fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is power steering fault at 51x the fleet average, followed by parking brake inefficient (38x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Bentley Continental MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £180–£280 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include spark plugs (£400–£600), coolant flush (£200–£300).
See the full Bentley Continental service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Bentley Continental has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue 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. 2013-2018 second-generation models offer the best balance of refinement and reliability, with significant mechanical upgrades over the first gen. For third-generation cars, the 2021 Continental GT Speed (650 hp, all-wheel steering) is the pinnacle. Avoid 2003-2005 models — the most troublesome years with transmission issues and the highest recall counts.
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 Continental, 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 Continental issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.