Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 110 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,588

£216/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

6750cc Petrol

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £2,588/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Petrol6750cc30 years old110 tests71k 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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

93% of MOT tests on Rolls-Royce Silver Spirits from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 110 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 71,336 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models19th of 243(top 8%)

Rank among Rolls-Royce models62nd of 76(bottom 20%)

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

vs 1996 models average+18%(75% avg)

vs Rolls-Royce average-2%(95% avg)

Mileage Analysis

71,336

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit had 71,336 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 1994 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 71%. The 1996 scores 93%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1996	93%	110	71,336 mi
1995	92%	182	85,169 mi
1994	94%	108	61,845 mi
1993	77%	99	66,852 mi
1992	71%	132	73,837 mi
1991	85%	103	72,266 mi
1990	87%	314	73,793 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Bentley Turbo

1997 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

91%

-2%

Bentley Brooklands

1996 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

90%

-3%

Bentley Continental

1997 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

96%

+3%

Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

1997 · 6750cc Petrol

£2,588/year

94%

+1%

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About the 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

The 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit is a luxury car. Our records list a 6750cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 110 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 8% of all 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 71,336 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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.

1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit?

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 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Reliability Trend

Newer Rolls-Royce Silver Spirits pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

At 30 years old, the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 1994 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

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 30 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 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit(1996)	93%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588
Bentley Turbo(1997)	91%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same
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 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 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Is the 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirits ended in a pass, from 110 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.

How much does a 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit?

93% of 110 MOT tests on the 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 19th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (top 8%).

Which year Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 1992 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit is 71,336 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.