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Bentley Derby Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Bentley Derby reliable? We analysed 699 real MOT tests across 117 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 699 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
93.3%
Typical Mileage
42,815mi
Annual Mileage
507mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
92yrs

The Bentley Derby is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake recording little or no effort, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bentley Derby.

Bentley Derby Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Bentley Derby. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Bentley Derby MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Bentley Derby to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

94.3%
1939
92.9%
1937
93.8%
1936
90.6%
1935
94.9%
1934

Bentley Derby Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Bentley Derby fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

brake recording little or no effort 6
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 5
Direction indicator not working 4
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 3
Wheel insecure 3
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on 3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 3
Brake performance not tested 2
Leaf spring shackle bracket loose 2

Bentley Derby Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Bentley Derby owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
144 mi/yr
Typical
507 mi/yr
Average
1,448 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,298 mi/yr

Bentley Derby MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bentley Derby year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1939 53 94.3% 21,656 41,526 55,745
1937 85 92.9% 10,768 28,598 75,606
1936 81 93.8% 17,809 25,274 40,208
1935 117 90.6% 33,260 53,962 74,256
1934 156 94.9% 19,383 43,810 66,151

How Long Does a Bentley Derby Last?

Based on 117 Bentley Derby vehicles on UK roads.

Average
63.6 years
Median
76.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
92 years

Bentley Derby Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Bentley Derby MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
42,815 mi
75th Percentile
68,304 mi
95th Percentile
92,335 mi
Max Recorded
529,731 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Bentley Derby

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1934

94.9% MOT pass rate from 156 tests

Year to avoid
1935

90.6% MOT pass rate from 117 tests

The best year to buy a used Bentley Derby is 1934, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.9% across 156 tests. The 1935 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Bentley Derby Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Bentley Derby THIS CAR 93.3% 699 42,815 mi 92 yrs
Bentley Continental 90% 209,069 37,776 mi 29 yrs
Bentley Arnage 85.9% 40,970 45,703 mi 28 yrs
Bentley Turbo 78.7% 31,416 73,541 mi 41 yrs
Citroen Relay 35 L3H2 Enterprise HDI 77.7% 757 97,606 mi — yrs

Compared to the Bentley Continental (90.0% pass rate) and the Bentley Arnage (85.9% pass rate), the Bentley Derby outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Bentley Derby?

The Bentley Derby has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.3% across 699 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Bentley Derby are brake recording little or no effort (6 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5), and direction indicator not working (4). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Bentley Derby owner drives around 507 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Bentley Derby models stay on UK roads for around 92 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Bentley Derby — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bentley Derby reliable?
Based on 699 MOT tests, the Bentley Derby has a 93.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Bentley Derby?
The most common MOT failures are brake recording little or no effort, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and direction indicator not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Bentley Derby do per year?
The typical Bentley Derby does around 507 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Bentley Derby last?
Most Bentley Derby models stay on UK roads for around 92 years based on our analysis of 117 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Bentley Derby?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Bentley Derby?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Bentley Derby is 1934 with a 94.9% pass rate across 156 tests.