Bentley R Type Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bentley R Type car check
Is the Bentley R Type reliable? We analysed 987 real MOT tests across 137 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bentley R Type? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bentley R Type is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, shock absorber has a serious fluid leak and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bentley R Type.
Bentley R Type Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bentley R Type. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bentley R Type MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bentley R Type to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bentley R Type Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bentley R Type fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bentley R Type Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bentley R Type owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bentley R Type MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bentley R Type year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 89 | 93.3% | 32,015 | 52,590 | 91,966 |
| 1954 | 365 | 89.9% | 22,345 | 50,007 | 75,462 |
| 1953 | 289 | 90.3% | 26,041 | 51,308 | 79,478 |
| 1952 | 57 | 93.0% | 39,453 | 45,692 | 90,399 |
How Long Does a Bentley R Type Last?
Based on 137 Bentley R Type vehicles on UK roads.
Bentley R Type Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bentley R Type 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 R Type
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.3% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
89.9% MOT pass rate from 365 tests
The best year to buy a used Bentley R Type is 1955, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.3% across 89 tests. The 1954 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bentley R Type Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley R Type THIS CAR | 90.9% | 987 | 50,475 mi | 74 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 |
| Peugeot Partner LX600 55KW | 74.2% | 473 | 127,928 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Bentley Continental (90.0% pass rate) and the Bentley Arnage (85.9% pass rate), the Bentley R Type outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Bentley R Type 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 R TypeShould you buy a used Bentley R Type?
The Bentley R Type has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.9% across 987 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 R Type are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (28 recorded failures), shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (9), and stop lamp not working (8). 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 R Type owner drives around 616 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 R Type models stay on UK roads for around 74 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.