Bentley Series II Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bentley Series II car check
Is the Bentley Series II reliable? We analysed 1,567 real MOT tests across 172 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bentley Series II? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bentley Series II is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake pipe excessively corroded and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bentley Series II.
Bentley Series II Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bentley Series II. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bentley Series II MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bentley Series II to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bentley Series II Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bentley Series II fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bentley Series II Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bentley Series II owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bentley Series II MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bentley Series II year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 53 | 94.3% | 73,011 | 83,608 | 97,844 |
| 1981 | 59 | 88.1% | 51,814 | 114,599 | 122,444 |
| 1980 | 261 | 75.5% | 65,066 | 79,772 | 108,468 |
| 1979 | 215 | 80.5% | 50,594 | 84,460 | 100,454 |
| 1978 | 74 | 74.3% | 73,966 | 89,890 | 127,122 |
| 1977 | 180 | 76.7% | 92,310 | 121,738 | 163,129 |
| 1964 | 62 | 93.5% | 37,448 | 44,606 | 69,626 |
| 1962 | 53 | 81.1% | 16,832 | 81,281 | 94,053 |
| 1961 | 127 | 87.4% | 37,674 | 51,359 | 77,243 |
| 1960 | 62 | 83.9% | 28,596 | 61,757 | 91,838 |
How Long Does a Bentley Series II Last?
Based on 172 Bentley Series II vehicles on UK roads.
Bentley Series II Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bentley Series II 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 Series II
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.3% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
74.3% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Bentley Series II is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.3% across 53 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bentley Series II Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley Series II THIS CAR | 81.7% | 1,567 | 72,167 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 |
| Nissan Micra N-tec | 89.7% | 990 | 48,890 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Bentley Continental (90.0% pass rate) and the Bentley Arnage (85.9% pass rate), the Bentley Series II trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Bentley Series II 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 Series IIShould you buy a used Bentley Series II?
The Bentley Series II has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.7% across 1,567 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 Series II are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (74 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (37), and brake binding (34). 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 Series II owner drives around 441 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 Series II 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.