Bentley Continental MOT pass rate and common problems
95.3% of 44,451 Bentley Continental MOT tests pass.
The Continental's pass rate of 95.3% is in line with the average across all Bentley models, at 95.0%.
The Bentley Continental passes its MOT 95.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Bentley Continental?
This is the average across every Bentley Continental in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Bentley’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 97.0% at 0–3 years to 93.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.0% | 937 | 10,800 miles |
| 3–6 years | 97.2% | 7,053 | 19,132 miles |
| 6–10 years | 97.4% | 10,607 | 31,633 miles |
| 10–15 years | 95.1% | 9,956 | 44,149 miles |
| 15+ years | 93.2% | 15,898 | 62,691 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Bentley Continental
The most common reason the Bentley Continental fails its MOT is tyres — present in 28.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 28.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 22.0% | Excessively binding |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 11.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Visibility | 8.7% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Identification of the vehicle | 8.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.2% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Bentley Continental: what to check
These checks follow the Bentley Continental’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Bentley Continental comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 97.4% to 95.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 93.1% down to 90.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 28.7% of failed Bentley Continental MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 26.5% of failed Bentley Continental MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 22.0% of failed Bentley Continental MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 19.6% of failed Bentley Continental MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 11.4% of failed Bentley Continental MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Bentley service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Bentley models
- Bentley Bentayga — 97.4% pass rate
- Bentley Arnage — 92.3% pass rate
- Bentley Mulsanne — 95.9% pass rate
- Bentley Turbo — 87.1% pass rate
- Bentley Flying Spur — 96.6% pass rate
- Bentley Brooklands — 88.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Bentley Continental?
- 95.3% of Bentley Continental MOT tests pass, based on 44,451 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Bentley Continental?
- The most common reason the Bentley Continental fails its MOT is tyres — present in 28.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Bentley Continental?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Bentley Continental are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Bentley Continental?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Bentley Continental's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Bentley service history guide for how to check and keep one.