Bentley Continental

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 26 model years from 33,304 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

93%

Total Tests

33,304

Highest Pass Rate

2017 (100%)

Years Covered

About the Bentley Continental

The Bentley Continental was MOT tested 33,304 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 26 model years (1990 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 93%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 100% from 326 tests. The 1996 model has the lowest at 82%. With a 18 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Bentley Continentals pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 67,707 miles, while the newest (2018) averages 17,702 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 5998cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the Bentley Continental?

vs average of all models+11% (82% avg)

vs Bentley brand average-1% (94% avg)

Best to worst year spread18 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bentley Continental by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	99%	124	17,702 mi
2017	100%	326	22,906 mi
2016	97%	1,305	32,090 mi
2015	97%	2,692	36,495 mi
2014	97%	3,031	38,240 mi
2013	96%	2,586	42,600 mi
2012	95%	2,452	46,406 mi
2011	95%	1,931	43,910 mi
2010	90%	1,485	48,755 mi
2009	95%	1,092	52,934 mi
2008	93%	2,270	57,980 mi
2007	94%	3,741	58,254 mi
2006	92%	3,180	63,839 mi
2005	94%	3,059	67,698 mi
2004	92%	2,890	72,437 mi
2002	92%	36	47,578 mi
2000	91%	43	41,489 mi
1999	94%	93	54,620 mi
1998	98%	191	50,796 mi
1997	96%	216	52,188 mi
1996	82%	113	68,309 mi
1995	95%	80	71,808 mi
1994	85%	134	85,910 mi
1993	93%	101	62,637 mi
1992	86%	71	65,582 mi
1990	90%	62	67,707 mi

Questions about the Bentley Continental

Is the Bentley Continental reliable?

Across its 26 model years in our data (1990 to 2018), the Bentley Continental averages a 93% MOT pass rate, from 33,304 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2017 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 100%.

Which year Bentley Continental has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 Bentley Continental has the highest MOT pass rate at 100%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 82%, a 18 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.