Bentley Turbo MOT Failures
An analysis of 12,434 real DVSA MOT tests on the Bentley Turbo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: T-Series (1982–1997).
Where the Bentley Turbo fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Bentley Turbo is wheel bearings worn — this model is 26 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 12,434 MOT tests, 5.91% of all Bentley Turbo tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include fluid leak (133x the fleet average), power steering fault (28x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (19x the fleet average), and coil springs broken (45x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Bentley Turbo's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering, Brakes, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Bentley Turbo before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Bentley Turbo's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Bentley Turbo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are wheel bearings worn (13x the average) and fluid leak (10x). parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (9.7x) and coil springs broken (5.7x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Bentley Turbo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fluid leak (133x the average) and coil springs broken (45x). power steering fault (28x) and wheel bearings worn (24x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Bentley Turbo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (20x the average) and wheel bearings worn (10x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (9.6x) and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... also appear frequently.
The shift from wheel bearings worn at lower mileages to power steering fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Bentley Turbo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe structural corrosion (T-Series) Dangerous
The steel subframes supporting the suspension mounting points are subject to severe corrosion on T-Series Bentleys, particularly around the rear suspension pickup points. Affects T-Series; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Excessive fluid leaks (T-Series) Major
T-Series Bentleys develop multiple fluid leaks from engine, transmission, power steering, and hydraulic systems due to aging seals and gaskets. Affects T-Series; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,500.
Power steering malfunction (T-Series) Major
The hydraulic power steering system on T-Series Bentleys is prone to pump failure, rack leaks, and hose deterioration. Affects T-Series; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£2,000.
Wheel bearing wear (T-Series) Major
Wheel bearings on T-Series Bentleys wear prematurely due to the vehicle's substantial weight and age-related seal degradation. Affects T-Series; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Bentley Turbo common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Bentley Turbo
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Bentley Turbo:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, coil springs broken, suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak. Steering — check for power steering fault. Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe structural corrosion and excessive fluid leaks. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Bentley Turbo?
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Bentley Turbo MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Bentley Turbo?
Based on 12,434 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 26x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fluid leak and power steering fault.
Is the Bentley Turbo reliable based on MOT data?
The Bentley Turbo has 10 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe structural corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Bentley Turbo most commonly fails on power steering fault and wheel bearings worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are wheel bearings worn and fluid leak.
How do I check a Bentley Turbo's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.