Bentley Mulsanne MOT pass rate and common problems
95.9% of 2,728 Bentley Mulsanne MOT tests pass.
The Mulsanne's pass rate of 95.9% is in line with the average across all Bentley models, at 95.0%.
The Bentley Mulsanne passes its MOT 95.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Bentley Mulsanne?
This is the average across every Bentley Mulsanne 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 declines noticeably with age, from 98.6% at 3–6 years to 88.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (16) | 16 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 98.6% | 356 | 18,291 miles |
| 6–10 years | 98.0% | 1,040 | 28,831 miles |
| 10–15 years | 96.9% | 828 | 43,651 miles |
| 15+ years | 88.3% | 488 | 87,683 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Bentley Mulsanne
The most common reason the Bentley Mulsanne fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 47.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 47.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 41.1% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 24.7% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Tyres | 23.3% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 11.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 10.3% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 9.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.4% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Bentley Mulsanne: what to check
These checks follow the Bentley Mulsanne’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 Mulsanne comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 96.9% to 88.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 99.1% down to 93.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 47.9% of failed Bentley Mulsanne MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.9% 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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 41.1% of failed Bentley Mulsanne MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.5% 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 24.7% of failed Bentley Mulsanne MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.5% 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 23.3% of failed Bentley Mulsanne 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.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 15.8% of failed Bentley Mulsanne MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.8% 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.
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 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 Mulsanne?
- 95.9% of Bentley Mulsanne MOT tests pass, based on 2,728 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Bentley Mulsanne?
- The most common reason the Bentley Mulsanne fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 47.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Bentley Mulsanne?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Bentley Mulsanne are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. Rare on young cars, but 10.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Bentley Mulsanne?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; tyres; 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 Mulsanne'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.