Used car guide

2001 Bentley Arnage: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Bentley Arnage first registered in 2001: we looked at the 666 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

666MOTs of 2001 cars, done in 2023–2025
84%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
2,600typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Bentley Arnage?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Bentley Arnage than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.6× usual
    Bentley Arnage
    9.5% All 2001 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.3% of all 2001 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

Rigid brake pipes: 6% here, against 17.5% of all 2001 cars. Engine oil leaks: 6.3% here, against 16.1% of all 2001 cars.

Common 2001 Bentley Arnage MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Bentley Arnage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    22% 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
    15% 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
    13% 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
    11% 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
    7% 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.

  • Steering
    4% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 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 ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2001 Bentley Arnage as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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%
2000616Suspension 25%
1999396Suspension 32%
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 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score