Bentley Flying Spur MOT pass rate and common problems
96.6% of 2,299 Bentley Flying Spur MOT tests pass.
The Flying Spur has a pass rate of 96.6%, a little higher than the average across all Bentley models (95.0%).
The Bentley Flying Spur passes its MOT 96.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Bentley Flying Spur?
This is the average across every Bentley Flying Spur 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 stays relatively stable with age: 97.1% at 0–3 years versus 95.9% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.1% | 170 | 15,317 miles |
| 3–6 years | 97.4% | 152 | 18,212 miles |
| 6–10 years | 96.6% | 1,477 | 35,394 miles |
| 10–15 years | 95.9% | 483 | 44,793 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (17) | 17 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Bentley Flying Spur
The most common reason the Bentley Flying Spur fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.3% 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 | 37.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 31.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 18.1% | Worn down to wear indicator |
| Suspension | 14.5% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 4.8% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 3.6% | Ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.4% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Visibility | 2.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
Buying a used Bentley Flying Spur: what to check
These checks follow the Bentley Flying Spur’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 93.3% down to 88.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 37.3% of failed Bentley Flying Spur 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 31.3% of failed Bentley Flying Spur MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.1% of tests at 10–15 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 18.1% of failed Bentley Flying Spur MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.2% of tests at 10–15 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. Suspension
Recorded in 14.5% of failed Bentley Flying Spur MOTs.
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.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 6.0% of failed Bentley Flying Spur MOTs.
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.
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 Continental — 95.3% pass rate
- 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 Brooklands — 88.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Bentley Flying Spur?
- 96.6% of Bentley Flying Spur MOT tests pass, based on 2,299 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Bentley Flying Spur?
- The most common reason the Bentley Flying Spur fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.3% 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 Flying Spur?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Bentley Flying Spur are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Bentley Flying Spur?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 Flying Spur'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.