Bentley
Continental
33,522 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Continentals pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 15.2 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
92.7%
Pass-after-fix
1.6%
Fail
5.1%
Avg miles
52,310
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Trim variants
The picture
Bentley Continental: solid MOT record across 12,070 tests
Bentley Continental refers to several models of cars produced by Bentley Motors. Originally, it referred to a special chassis for engines more powerful than the usual offering, supplied to a selected number of coachbuilders for the fitting of very light-weight coachwork designed under Rolls-Royce supervision.
MOT data from 12,070 tests puts this car on an 90.1% first-time pass rate, well above the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 51,444 miles. The most common fail item is engine warning light on, followed by damaged tyre sidewall or structure.
For used buyers, the Continental's pass rate suggests it clears the MOT with fewer surprises than most — but the top failure items above are still worth a pre-purchase inspection, particularly on higher-mileage examples.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 48–50
A high-group car — insurance costs will be significantly above average. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
48–50
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
241 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
217 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
164 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
151 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
141 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
129 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
A tyre cords visible or damaged
122 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
A direction indicator lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
85 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light
78 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 10
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
76 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a Continental?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Continental and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.