Bentley Continental: what fails at MOT
27,000 MOT tests on the Bentley Continental in 2024, counted. 7.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
7.1% of Bentley Continental tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 35.5%, so the Continental does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (1% of tests), exhaust and emissions (1% of tests) and lights and electrics (0.8% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 343 | 2.3% | 11.5% | 17,500 11,200 to 22,800 |
| 2016 | 1,192 | 5.9% | 21.3% | 28,500 20,500 to 41,300 |
| 2015 | 2,467 | 3.7% | 24.4% | 33,200 23,800 to 47,400 |
| 2014 | 2,537 | 3.6% | 27.7% | 36,100 25,900 to 49,200 |
| 2013 | 2,249 | 5.6% | 30.6% | 42,300 30,700 to 51,800 |
| 2012 | 2,006 | 6.6% | 33.4% | 45,900 32,600 to 58,000 |
| 2011 | 1,568 | 5.2% | 36.1% | 41,600 25,800 to 55,300 |
| 2010 | 1,167 | 14.2% | 38.6% | 46,700 32,700 to 61,700 |
| 2009 | 931 | 7.9% | 39.8% | 49,100 32,500 to 63,600 |
| 2008 | 1,769 | 7.8% | 41.5% | 56,400 39,600 to 72,400 |
| 2007 | 3,068 | 8.1% | 41.5% | 54,200 41,000 to 74,100 |
| 2006 | 2,469 | 9.1% | 42.4% | 61,100 43,600 to 79,100 |
| 2005 | 2,518 | 7.8% | 42.2% | 67,900 48,000 to 83,200 |
| 2004 | 2,206 | 11.0% | 42.3% | 73,200 52,500 to 90,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Bentley Continental tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Continental | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres Less than most | 1.0% | 4.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.0% | 3.2% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 0.8% | 10.9% |
| Brakes Less than most | 0.7% | 6.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 0.4% | 3.9% |
| Suspension Less than most | 0.4% | 9.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre0.9%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Washers0.3%
- Headlamp aim0.3%
- Exhaust emissions0.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.2%
- Number plates0.2%
- Footbrake0.2%
- Brake pads0.1%
- Electronic stability control0.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.2%
- Number plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.2%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.1%
- Electronic stability control: warning lamp indicates a fault0.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge2.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged0.4%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively0.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Bentley Continental's own MOT record
Looking at a Continental? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.