Large SUV · 2015–2021 cars
Bentley Bentayga reliability
The Bentley Bentayga fails 4.2% of first MOT tests, 73% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 12,359 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Bentley Bentayga before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 4.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 73% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 12,359
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Bentley Bentayga ages
Each point is the share of Bentley Bentaygas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Bentley Bentayga | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3.2% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 4.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 3.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 3.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 4.3% | 25.5% |
By year
The best and worst Bentley Bentayga years
2020 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 529 | 3% | 71% fewer fails | 19,789 |
| 2020 Bentayga | 1,568 | 2.3% | 80% fewer fails | 24,523 |
| 2019 Bentayga | 1,894 | 3.3% | 74% fewer fails | 28,164 |
| 2018 Bentayga | 3,217 | 3.8% | 75% fewer fails | 35,610 |
| 2017 Bentayga | 2,817 | 5% | 72% fewer fails | 43,142 |
| 2016 Bentayga | 2,327 | 6% | 69% fewer fails | 41,219 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Bentley Bentayga
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres1.9%60% below avg
- Lights and electrics0.9%76% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.6%170% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.3%92% below avg
- Suspension0.3%88% below avg
- Brakes0.3%89% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%66% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%56% below avg
- Wheels0.1%57% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.66% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards 0.26% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.24% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.21% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.19% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.11% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.1% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.09% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Bentley Bentayga's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit3.33%
- Brake pads wearing thin1.12%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear0.95%
- Nail in tyre, monitor0.8%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking0.77%
- Tyre has a shallow cut0.7%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Bentley Bentayga
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre bulge from structural failure
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Bentley Bentayga covers about 6,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol77.1%
- Diesel21.9%
- Hybrid1%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Blue, White, Red
Average engine size: 4.8 litres.
Compare
How the Bentley Bentayga compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley Bentayga | 4.2% | 73% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi Q8 | 7.5% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 17.8% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 11.1% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 27.2% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model X | 15.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Rexton | 35.6% | 36% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Bentley models.
Questions
Bentley Bentayga questions, answered
Is the Bentley Bentayga reliable?
On MOT results, the Bentley Bentayga is better than average: it fails 4.2% of first MOT tests, 73% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 1 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Bentley Bentayga MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Bentley Bentayga are tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.66% of tests), number plate does not meet standards (0.26% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.24% of tests). By area, tyres fails 1.9% of its tests.
Which Bentley Bentayga year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (80% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (69% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Bentley Bentayga do a year?
A typical Bentley Bentayga covers about 6,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Bentley Bentayga before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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