Bentley Turbo (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 660 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,588

£216/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

6750cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2,588/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol6750cc29 years old660 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 6750cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,588

Per month£216/mo

Per week£50/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

91% of MOT tests on Bentley Turbos from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 660 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,118 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models28th of 306(top 10%)

Rank among Bentley models87th of 115(bottom half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average+16%(75% avg)

vs Bentley average-3%(94% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,118

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Bentley Turbo had 74,118 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 80%. The 1997 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Bentley Turbo by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1998	97%	35	62,722 mi
1997	91%	660	74,118 mi
1996	90%	265	75,583 mi
1995	80%	259	72,439 mi
1994	81%	205	92,543 mi
1993	82%	163	94,995 mi
1992	86%	160	85,374 mi
1991	88%	173	89,956 mi
1990	93%	243	86,937 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Bentley Brooklands

1996 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

90%

-1%

Bentley Continental

1997 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

96%

+5%

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

1995 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

92%

+1%

Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

1997 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

94%

+3%

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About the 1997 Bentley Turbo

The 1997 Bentley Turbo is a luxury car. Our records list a 6750cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 660 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 10% of all 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 74,118 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Bentley Turbo owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 Bentley Turbo Fuel Costs

The 6750cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Bentley Turbo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,588 (£216/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Bentley Turbo Reliability Trend

The Bentley Turbo has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 Bentley Turbo

At 29 years old, the Bentley Turbo is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1990 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 Bentley Turbo stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Bentley Turbo(1997)	91%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588
Bentley Brooklands(1996)	90%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same
Bentley Continental(1997)	96%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit(1995)	92%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same
Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn(1997)	94%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Bentley Turbo

Is the 1997 Bentley Turbo reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 1997 Bentley Turbos ended in a pass, from 660 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Bentley Turbo cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,588 a year (£216 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Bentley Turbo?

91% of 660 MOT tests on the 1997 Bentley Turbo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 28th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (top 10%).

Which year Bentley Turbo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 Bentley Turbo has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 1995 the lowest at 80%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Bentley Turbo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Bentley Turbo is 74,118 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.