Used car guide

1999 Bentley Arnage: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Bentley Arnage first registered in 1999: we looked at the 396 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 396 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

396MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
84%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
3,000typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Bentley Arnage?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Bentley Arnage than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Bentley Arnage
    13.6% All 1999 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Ball joint dust cover3× usual
    Bentley Arnage
    10.9% All 1999 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.3% here, against 15% of all 1999 cars. Tyre condition: 5.6% here, against 12.1% of all 1999 cars.

Common 1999 Bentley Arnage MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Bentley Arnage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    32% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    18% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    15% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Bentley Arnage

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1999 Bentley Arnage as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 1999 Bentley Arnage as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Bentley Arnage?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Bentley Arnage compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009101Suspension 5%
2008159Tyres 14%
2007206Suspension 17%
2006247Brakes 15%
2005376Suspension 11%
2004303Brakes 19%
2003400Suspension 15%
2002492Suspension 22%
2001666Suspension 22%
2000616Suspension 25%
1998313Suspension 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Bentley Arnage cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score