We look at the reliability of the Bentley Continental and see what some of the most common faults are and how they rank against some of their peers in the market.
The Bentley name carries with it a lot of weight. A steep history that dates back to pre-war days and a rich motorsport heritage all help to give the brand a reputation for being some of the most luxurious and stately vehicles money car buy. You’ll need a fair amount of that aforementioned money as Bentleys do not come cheap, even in the used market. This begs the question; how reliable is a used Bentley Continental?
One of the drawcards of the Bentley marque is the fact that much of their product is hand-assembled. This makes it a more bespoke product with human attention and care; it’s a traditional way of making motor vehicles. The caveat here is that human interaction allows for human error as well and it’s not uncommon to find variances in the fit and finish of some of the offerings. Call it unique, call it inconsistent, it’s an inherent byproduct of the process.
How reliable is the Bentley Continental?
You can get behind the wheel of a Continental GT for less than R600 000. For that money, you’ll be getting a model from the early 2000s and while this may appear to be rather appealing, you will need to set aside, even more, to keep it running.
Numerous surveys and studies have shown the Continental to be rather problematic, especially as the years wear on. Several British publications have reported Bentley to be the least reliable brand of the 37 manufacturers sampled. According to The Week, 93% of Bentley experience a fault that requires dealership attention at least once a year. This places the brand firmly at the bottom of its reliability survey.
This naturally applies to Bentley Continentals on the used market and new Bentleys will have any concerns covered by the manufacturer warranty and maintenance plan that has you covered for 3-years from the date of purchase with an option to extend it to 5-years.
Common faults
1. Air suspension
The Bentley Continental uses an air suspension system to help iron out the bumps and undulations in the road. This system, while effective, is prone to failure and leakage, leaving you with a rather expensive repair bill.
2. Brake hoses
The Continental requires that the brake hoses be replaced every 5 years. Older vehicles will require a little more attention more frequently, especially when one considers the high-performance nature of the vehicle.
3. Electrical faults
Numerous complaints have been received about faulty electronics and particularly the electric window systems. Other faults include random warning lights and notifications which are caused by fault sensors.
Keyword: How reliable is the Bentley Continental?