Used car guide

2008 Bentley Continental: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Bentley Continental first registered in 2008: we looked at the 2,665 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,665MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
89%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
3,400typical miles a year
15%had tyres flagged

Common 2008 Bentley Continental MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Bentley Continental MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    12% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    5% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Bentley Continental

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Bentley Continental?

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 Continental compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022470Tyres 10%
2021816Tyres 13%
20201,884Tyres 13%
20192,413Tyres 13%
20181,777Tyres 12%
20171,934Tyres 12%
20162,514Tyres 13%
20152,401Tyres 14%
20142,251Tyres 13%
20132,173Tyres 14%
20122,214Tyres 14%
20111,672Tyres 14%
20101,633Tyres 15%
20091,263Tyres 14%
20074,009Tyres 15%
20063,321Tyres 16%
20053,464Brakes 15%
20043,218Tyres 16%
2003–Too few tests
2002–Too few tests
2001–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998132Tyres 14%
1997184Suspension 10%
1996130Oil and fluid leaks 15%
1995–Too few tests
1994110Lights and electrics 19%
1993–Too few tests

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 Continental cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score