Rolls-Royce

The short version

Rolls-Royce is the benchmark for luxury in the literal sense: the cars are engineered to isolate the occupants from noise, vibration and the outside world. The Phantom is the flagship, the Ghost is the smaller saloon, the Cullinan is the SUV and the Wraith is the coupe that ended production in 2023. All of them are heavy, quiet and expensive to maintain properly.

The modern cars are built at Goodwood in West Sussex and use BMW-derived engineering beneath bespoke bodywork and cabins. That is generally good news for reliability, because the core drivetrain is proven. The complication is everything around it: the air suspension, the electronic doors, the climate system and the enormous range of bespoke features that can be difficult to diagnose as the cars age.

The models that define the brand

The Phantom VII of 2003 re-established Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership. It introduced the aluminium spaceframe, the 6.75-litre V12 and a level of bespoke commissioning that had not been seen for decades. The Phantom VIII arrived in 2017 with a new platform, a quieter cabin and the same commitment to scale. It remains the car most associated with the brand.

The Ghost arrived in 2010 as a smaller, more driver-focused saloon. The second-generation Ghost, launched in 2020, added all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, which made a very large car easier to place on a road. The Cullinan, launched in 2018, brought the brand into the SUV market and became a significant seller. The Wraith was a two-door coupe with coach doors, built from 2013 to 2023, and it remains the most dramatic of the modern cars, though the doors need space to open and the rear seats are best suited to shorter journeys. The Dawn was its convertible sibling.

What it costs to own

A Rolls-Royce is not expensive because it is fast. It is expensive because every component is specified for silence and smoothness, and because the cars are heavy. Tyres are large, quiet-tuned and costly, and a set can run to several thousand pounds. Brakes are big, and the discs and pads wear faster than the mileage suggests on a car that weighs well over two tonnes. A Cullinan on 22-inch wheels is also easy to damage on poor road surfaces, and a replacement wheel and tyre package can be a four-figure sum.

Servicing should be budgeted annually rather than treated as an occasional event. The V12 is robust, but the labour to access it is significant, and the air suspension, electronics and bespoke trim all add potential cost. Expect any unexpected fault to be diagnosed at a franchised dealer, because independent expertise is limited. Insurance and storage should be arranged with specialists who understand the value of a bespoke specification.

Known weak points

• Air suspension: struts, compressors and height sensors can fail, and the parts are expensive.
• Electronics: infotainment, door mechanisms and climate systems are complex and dealer-dependent.
• BMW V12 service: reliable in principle, but labour-intensive and costly when work is needed.
• Depreciation: the cars lose a large amount from new, especially high-specification builds.
• Tyres and brakes: heavy car, large wheels and premium consumables.
• Battery drain: low-mileage cars that sit for long periods can suffer flat batteries and module faults.

What to check before buying

Check that the air suspension sits at the correct height and does not sag overnight. Ask whether the compressor or any struts have been replaced, and get the invoices. Test every electronic function, including the coach doors, the rear screens, the massage seats, the climate zones and the boot. On a Phantom, the rear compartment is the point of the car, so check the seats, tables, screens and fridge.

Ask for the service history and confirm it was maintained at a franchised dealer or a recognised specialist. Check the tyres for even wear, because uneven wear can point to suspension geometry problems. Look at the paint and the chrome for signs of poor repair, and check the underside for corrosion if the car has lived near the coast. Bespoke interiors are expensive to restore, so inspect the leather, veneers and headlining carefully.

Market and depreciation

The Phantom depreciates heavily from new, which is why a used one can look like remarkable value. The Ghost follows a similar pattern, and the Cullinan has held up better because demand for luxury SUVs has been strong. The Wraith and Dawn are now out of production, and their values have firmed as buyers look for the last of the coupe and convertible models.

The key variable is specification. A car with a conservative colour scheme and a complete history will always be easier to sell than a highly personalised one, however much the original owner spent.

Who it suits

Rolls-Royce suits a buyer who wants comfort above all and is prepared to fund maintenance properly. It also suits a collector who wants a late-model flagship with a full history. It does not suit anyone who wants a discreet car, a low running cost or a vehicle that can be maintained cheaply.

How this profile was compiled

This profile draws on Rolls-Royce's published model and ownership information, owner discussion through the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club, and current UK market listings. It is a guide to buying and owning, not a road test.