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Bentley Arnage reliability by build year

Coverage 1998-20091 named generationSaloonPETROL

We've only got 359 MOT tests for Bentley Arnages built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Bentley Arnage built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Bentley Arnages built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Bentley Arnage by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Bentley Arnage's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Arnage's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Arnage Series 1

Series 1 (1998-2009)

Excellent
PETROL

14.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 11.5% and 18.8%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 359 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Bentley Arnage.

See every build year for the Bentley Arnage

By age

Bentley Arnage fail rate by age

This chart combines every Bentley Arnage ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7015.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
9113.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
905.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1357.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
11111.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
18013.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
18611.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
25915.8%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
35914.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Bentley Arnages

These issues come from 25+ year old Bentley Arnages, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Minor

    Suspension ball joint dust cover badly deteriorated

    15.9%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.4%
    Advisory: 49Fail: 5 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.8%
    Advisory: 47Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    9.8%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    8.4%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 10 (22% of the times it was found)

Based on 359 MOT tests on 25+ year old Bentley Arnages, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Bentley Arnages notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension44%
  2. Suspension + Tyres30%
  3. Lighting + Suspension23%
  4. Body & structure + Suspension23%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 128 MOT tests on Bentley Arnage cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Bentley Arnage.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Bentley Arnage name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Nissan Skyline

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 14.8% for the Bentley Arnage, both built before 2000.

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.9%

    No clear edge over the Bentley Arnage on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,327 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    No clear edge over the Bentley Arnage on these figures.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    No clear edge over the Bentley Arnage on these figures.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,939 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Bentley Arnage across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 359 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Bentley Arnage ever sold: 1,481 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 359 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.