Bentley

The short version

Bentley mixes Crewe craftsmanship with Volkswagen Group engineering, which makes a Continental GT, Flying Spur or Bentayga feel both hand-finished and thoroughly modern. The cars are heavy, quiet and very fast in a straight line, and they are far more usable than their size suggests. The trade-off is expensive consumables and a W12 engine that demands specialist care.

The range is easier to understand than the badge history implies. The Continental GT is the two-door grand tourer, the Flying Spur is the four-door saloon, and the Bentayga is the SUV. All three have been through several generations, and the differences between them matter more than the shared nameplates suggest.

The models that define the brand

The Continental GT arrived in 2003 and transformed Bentley from a niche maker of large saloons into a global brand. It used a W12 engine and a platform related to the Volkswagen Phaeton, and it was criticised at first for its weight but quickly became the defining Bentley of its era. The second generation arrived in 2011, and the third in 2018 with a lighter platform, a new interior and a V8 option.

The Flying Spur is the four-door version. Early cars shared much with the Continental GT, and the current generation is a distinct model with its own proportions, a rear-seat focus and a hybrid powertrain option. The Bentayga, launched in 2015, is the SUV that widened the brand's appeal, and it has since been updated with a new front end, a hybrid option and a more refined cabin.

The Mulsanne sat above the Flying Spur until 2020 and remains the most traditional Bentley of the modern era. The Continental GTC is the convertible, and the Speed and Supersports versions sit at the top of the performance range. The W12 was retired from new production in 2024, so the latest cars use a V8 hybrid powertrain.

What it costs to own

Budget for servicing on a Bentley as a fixed annual cost rather than a surprise. A Continental GT or Flying Spur will typically need attention every year or at a mileage interval, and the cost depends heavily on the engine. The W12 has twelve cylinders, two turbochargers and a very crowded engine bay, so labour hours are high. The V8 is simpler and cheaper to work on, but it is still a premium engine.

Tyres are a major item. These are heavy cars with large wheels, and a set can run to well over a thousand pounds. Brakes are similarly expensive, and the discs on the larger models are substantial. Air suspension components, bushes and suspension arms wear with weight and mileage. Expect any cosmetic repair to carbon trim or veneer to be costly, and check that the car has a full dealer or specialist history before you commit.

Known weak points

• W12 service: cramped engine bay, expensive parts and high labour hours.
• Air suspension: compressor, struts and height sensors can fail on all models.
• Electrics: infotainment, comfort modules and battery drain on low-use cars.
• Depreciation: heavy losses from new, particularly on high-specification cars.
• Tyres and brakes: weight and size make consumables expensive.
• Early Bentayga: trim and electrical faults on the first cars.

What to check before buying

Check the air suspension for sagging and listen for compressor noise. Test every electrical function, including the seats, the screens, the climate system and the boot. On a W12 car, ask for the service history and look for evidence of coolant and oil leaks, because the engine bay is tight and repairs are labour-intensive. On a Bentayga, check the tow bar, the panoramic roof and the rear entertainment.

Inspect the wheels for kerb damage and the tyres for uneven wear. These cars are heavy, so suspension bushes and arms take a beating. Look at the brake discs for lipping and the pads for remaining life. Check the body for accident repairs with a paint depth gauge, and inspect the underside for corrosion and damaged undertrays. A pre-purchase inspection from a Bentley specialist is worth the cost on any car.

Market and depreciation

The Continental GT is the volume model and depreciates accordingly. Early cars are now cheap to buy but expensive to run, and the W12 is the biggest risk. The Flying Spur follows a similar curve, and the Bentayga has depreciated heavily since launch, which makes a used one tempting but exposes you to further losses.

The strongest values are the limited editions, the Supersports and the final W12 cars. Specification matters: a conservative colour and a full history will always sell faster than a highly personalised car.

Who it suits

Bentley suits a buyer who wants a fast, comfortable car that can be used every day and is prepared to fund the running costs. It also suits a collector who wants a modern grand tourer with a complete history. It does not suit anyone who wants a light sports car, a cheap commuter or a car with low consumable costs.

How this profile was compiled

This profile draws on Bentley's published model information, the Bentley Drivers Club owner community, and current UK market listings. This is a buying guide, not a test drive.