Bentley S3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bentley S3 car check
Is the Bentley S3 reliable? We analysed 1,894 real MOT tests across 193 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bentley S3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bentley S3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake recording little or no effort, service brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bentley S3.
Bentley S3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bentley S3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bentley S3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bentley S3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bentley S3 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bentley S3 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bentley S3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bentley S3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bentley S3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bentley S3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 53 | 77.4% | 81,527 | 85,233 | 88,207 |
| 1965 | 505 | 85.5% | 25,696 | 42,486 | 65,660 |
| 1964 | 529 | 87.1% | 29,020 | 55,191 | 74,874 |
| 1963 | 365 | 84.9% | 19,640 | 49,117 | 71,357 |
How Long Does a Bentley S3 Last?
Based on 193 Bentley S3 vehicles on UK roads.
Bentley S3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bentley S3 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 S3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.1% MOT pass rate from 529 tests
77.4% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Bentley S3 is 1964, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.1% across 529 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bentley S3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley S3 THIS CAR | 86.1% | 1,894 | 49,410 mi | 63 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 |
| Vauxhall Corsa SE Nav Premium Turbo | 89% | 1,253 | 22,127 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Bentley Continental (90.0% pass rate) and the Bentley Arnage (85.9% pass rate), the Bentley S3 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Bentley S3 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 S3Should you buy a used Bentley S3?
The Bentley S3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.1% across 1,894 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 S3 are brake recording little or no effort (54 recorded failures), service brake: efficiency below requirements (42), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (40). 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 S3 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 S3 models stay on UK roads for around 63 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.