Bentley MK6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bentley MK6 car check
Is the Bentley MK6 reliable? We analysed 812 real MOT tests across 113 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bentley MK6? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bentley MK6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and service brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bentley MK6.
Bentley MK6 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bentley MK6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bentley MK6 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bentley MK6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bentley MK6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bentley MK6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bentley MK6 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bentley MK6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bentley MK6 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bentley MK6 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 150 | 93.3% | 22,417 | 52,297 | 67,196 |
| 1951 | 148 | 86.5% | 21,203 | 43,500 | 71,830 |
| 1950 | 95 | 92.6% | 9,190 | 36,315 | 75,859 |
| 1949 | 111 | 88.3% | 53,156 | 61,243 | 72,928 |
| 1948 | 55 | 98.2% | 19,802 | 47,534 | 63,056 |
How Long Does a Bentley MK6 Last?
Based on 113 Bentley MK6 vehicles on UK roads.
Bentley MK6 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bentley MK6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Bentley MK6
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
98.2% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
86.5% MOT pass rate from 148 tests
The best year to buy a used Bentley MK6 is 1948, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.2% across 55 tests. The 1951 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bentley MK6 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley MK6 THIS CAR | 90.8% | 812 | 52,632 mi | 78 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 |
| Harley-davidson XL 883 N Iron 12 | 86.5% | 1,543 | 7,385 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Bentley Continental (90.0% pass rate) and the Bentley Arnage (85.9% pass rate), the Bentley MK6 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Bentley MK6 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Bentley MK6Should you buy a used Bentley MK6?
The Bentley MK6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.8% across 812 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 MK6 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (10 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (8), and service brake: efficiency below requirements (7). 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 MK6 owner drives around 398 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 MK6 models stay on UK roads for around 78 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.