Bentley S2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bentley S2 car check
Is the Bentley S2 reliable? We analysed 1,066 real MOT tests across 104 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bentley S2? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bentley S2 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and service brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bentley S2.
Bentley S2 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bentley S2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bentley S2 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bentley S2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bentley S2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bentley S2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bentley S2 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bentley S2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bentley S2 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bentley S2 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 55 | 83.6% | 7,708 | 30,056 | 64,556 |
| 1962 | 204 | 84.8% | 22,232 | 49,984 | 83,458 |
| 1961 | 275 | 86.5% | 30,559 | 41,664 | 72,186 |
| 1960 | 351 | 84.0% | 12,668 | 45,726 | 70,382 |
How Long Does a Bentley S2 Last?
Based on 104 Bentley S2 vehicles on UK roads.
Bentley S2 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bentley S2 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 S2
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.5% MOT pass rate from 275 tests
83.6% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Bentley S2 is 1961, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.5% across 275 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bentley S2 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley S2 THIS CAR | 84.9% | 1,066 | 45,658 mi | 66 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 |
| BMW 640D M Sport Auto | 90.1% | 1,101 | 61,500 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Bentley Continental (90.0% pass rate) and the Bentley Arnage (85.9% pass rate), the Bentley S2 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Bentley S2 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 S2Should you buy a used Bentley S2?
The Bentley S2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.9% across 1,066 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 S2 are brake binding (35 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (24), and service brake: efficiency below requirements (21). 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 S2 owner drives around 365 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 S2 models stay on UK roads for around 66 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.