Skip to main content
Check
Bentley

Bentley Mulsanne reliability by build year

Coverage 2010-20201 named generationSaloonPETROL

We've only got 197 MOT tests for Bentley Mulsannes built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Bentley Mulsanne built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

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

Check a Bentley Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Handbrake / parking brake

Worth checking

Test the handbrake on a slope and confirm it holds without ratcheting through to the end.

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

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Mulsanne's generation

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

Mulsanne Mk2

Mk2 (2010-2020)

Excellent
PETROL

6.5% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Likely between 3.3% and 12.2%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 124 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

23.9% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 18.4% and 30.3%

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

From 197 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

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 Mulsanne.

See every build year for the Bentley Mulsanne

Side-by-side

Bentley Mulsanne generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2010-2020)
Excellent
Excellent6.5%likely between 3.3% and 12.2%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 124 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating23.9%likely between 18.4% and 30.3%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 197 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Mulsanne, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Bentley Mulsanne fail rate by age

This chart combines every Bentley Mulsanne 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
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6510.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1003.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1246.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
963.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
814.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
764.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
573.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
837.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
19723.9%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

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

These issues come from 25+ year old Bentley Mulsannes, 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
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    23.4%
    Advisory: 51Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    13.2%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    11.7%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 3 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    7.1%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Dangerous

    Handbrake less than half as strong as required

    5.6%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 13 (100% of the times it was found)

Based on 197 MOT tests on 25+ year old Bentley Mulsannes, 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 Mulsannes 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. Other + Suspension33%
  2. Brakes + Suspension31%
  3. Fuel & oil + Other29%
  4. Fuel & oil + Suspension27%

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

Across 83 MOT tests on Bentley Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne.

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 Mulsanne 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 23.9% for the Bentley Mulsanne, both built before 2000.

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

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    BMW M3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.2%

    Lower fail rate: 16.2%, against 23.9% for the Bentley Mulsanne, both built before 2000.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,362 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Morris Minor 1000

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 23.9% for the Bentley Mulsanne, both built before 2000.

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

    1,272 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz S-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.2%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    74.5%

    Lower fail rate: 19.6%, against 23.9% for the Bentley Mulsanne, both built before 2000.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,197 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 Mulsanne across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 197 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 Mulsanne ever sold: 879 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 197 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.