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Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit reliability by build year

Coverage 1980-19982 named generationsSaloonPETROL

We've only got 712 MOT tests for Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit built before 2000: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models built before 2000 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at fluid leaks on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit by number plate

Key figure

5% of MOT tests on Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models built before 2000 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 2% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

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

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

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 Silver Spirit's generation

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

Silver Spirit II/III

Silver Spirit II/III (1989-1998)

Excellent
PETROL

14.5% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 12.1% and 17.2%

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

From 712 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit.

See every build year for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

By age

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit fail rate by age

This chart combines every Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
71214.5%

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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models

These issues come from 25+ year old Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much 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

    21.1%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.2%
    Advisory: 111Fail: 20 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    7.0%
    Advisory: 76Fail: 5 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    5.6%
    Advisory: 68Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    4.9%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 5 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 712 MOT tests on 25+ year old Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models, 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension26%
  2. Brakes + Fuel & oil26%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension24%
  4. Brakes + Other17%

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

Across 227 MOT tests on Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit.

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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 14.5% for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 712 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit ever sold: 712 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 712 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.