Do you know which car is the most expensive to own? It's not the one you paid the most for. It's the one you bought cheaply and then couldn't afford to maintain. The Bentley Continental GT is a perfect example. It's a grand tourer that can cost as much as a new Audi on the used market, yet under the bonnet there's a twin-turbo W12 or V8, permanent four-wheel drive and luxury that's hard to put into words. The first generation ran from 2003 to 2011, the second from 2011 to 2018, and the third arrived in 2018. All three can be an absolute joy to drive. But here's the catch! Buying one is easy. The question is whether you know what you're getting into afterwards.
Who is the Bentley Continental GT for?
If you love long journeys, peace and quiet, comfort and that feeling of driving something special, the Continental GT is exactly that kind of car. It's not just a luxury coupe. It's built to cover huge distances without wearing you out. You get in, set off and immediately understand why people love Bentley. But there's one thing I don't want you to forget: just because the car gets older, that doesn't mean it gets cheaper to maintain.
I often see people looking at the price and thinking, "For that money, I could drive a Bentley instead of an ordinary car." Of course you could. But you need a budget for more than just buying it. You need money for everything that comes afterwards. If you're looking for a cheap everyday car that you can simply drive without worrying about, the Continental GT isn't the right choice. I'm telling you this because I don't want your dream car to turn into one repair after another.
What's under that beautiful bonnet?
The Bentley Continental GT looks elegant, but there's some serious engineering underneath all that elegance. It's a heavy, powerful car, and the engine, gearbox, four-wheel-drive system and suspension all need to work together. When something starts to fail, fixing it isn't always as straightforward as it might look.
- W12 6.0 or V8 4.0 – both engines have twin turbochargers. There's plenty of power and character, but also a lot of complicated equipment under the bonnet.
- Automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive – the car sends power to all four wheels so you can put that performance to use with confidence.
- Air suspension – instead of conventional springs, there's a system that uses air to control the ride height and keep the car comfortable.
What are the most common Bentley Continental GT problems?
Why does the air suspension sag?
Imagine parking your Bentley in the evening and coming back the next morning to find one side sitting lower than the other. Or perhaps the whole car has dropped. That's one warning sign I really don't want you to ignore. Air suspension is wonderful when it's working properly, but as it gets older, it can start leaking air. If you'd like to understand how it works and why this happens, have a read of why air suspension sags.
Why do coolant leaks and cooling problems happen?
A big engine, two turbochargers and not much room under the bonnet. You can probably guess what that means: a lot of heat. Over time, hoses and seals age, harden and can start leaking. Don't wait until the engine temperature starts climbing before paying attention to the cooling system. It's far better to catch a small leak early than discover it after it's already caused a serious problem.
Why do the battery and electronics play up?
A Bentley Continental GT often isn't driven every day. It sits in the garage, comes out for a weekend drive and then goes straight back in. The trouble is, while the car is sitting there, the battery is slowly losing charge. And when the voltage drops, the electronics can start throwing up all sorts of fault codes and warning lights. So don't rush into replacing parts just because warnings have appeared on the dashboard. Check the power supply first.
Why do the brakes need special attention?
The Continental GT is a heavy car that can travel very quickly. And all that weight needs to stop as well. That puts a lot of work on the brake discs and pads, and their condition is something I'd never compromise on. When you're inspecting one, don't just admire how beautiful the car looks. Take a good look at what's going on behind those wheels too.
What should you check before buying?
If you've found a Bentley Continental GT you like, don't rush to put down a deposit just because it looks brand new. With a car like this, appearances are only the beginning. I want to know how it's been maintained, what the diagnostics tell us and whether there are signs of problems you'll end up having to deal with after buying it.
- Check the service history with an authorised Bentley workshop or a specialist. Look for proper records of the work that's been done, not just someone's word that everything is fine.
- Check the air suspension in the morning, after the car has been parked overnight. Make sure it sits level and neither side has dropped.
- Inspect underneath the car for leaks. Pay particular attention to areas where heat may have affected the hoses and seals.
- Read the fault codes from every electronic control module. It's not enough for someone to say, "I plugged in a diagnostic tool, cleared the faults and everything's fine."
That's exactly why I recommend a proper pre-purchase inspection. Not just a quick walk around the car, but a thorough check that helps you make your decision with your eyes open. With a Bentley, that matters even more.
How should you maintain a Bentley Continental GT?
The most important thing is not to wait until something breaks before taking the car to a workshop. With a car like this, regular maintenance is how you keep enjoying it. Here's what I recommend.
- Engine oil and all filters – oil, fuel, air and cabin – must be changed every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. That applies regardless of which oil you use or what the LongLife service intervals say.
- Automatic gearbox – servicing follows the manufacturer's recommendations and, at Das Auto Service, we also inspect the specific gearbox to determine what's needed. We always carry out an adaptation after servicing.
- Battery – if the car is going to be parked for a long time, use a battery maintenance charger.
Change the brake fluid every 2 years and the coolant every third heating season. I also recommend a workshop inspection every 6 months. Have the air conditioning serviced every spring, including a system check and replacement of the receiver-drier and the oil in the system, rather than simply topping up the refrigerant. The receiver-drier and system oil help protect the compressor. All of this matters because a Bentley needs people who really understand how it's built. I've talked more about that in why training makes all the difference with Bentley and Lamborghini.
IMPORTANT! A cheap Bentley could turn out to be the most expensive car you've ever bought. Before buying one, make sure you can afford to maintain it, not just pay for it.
Is the Bentley Continental GT worth buying?
Yes, absolutely, provided you find one with a good history and have the budget to maintain it properly. The Continental GT was built to be enjoyed, not to sit in pieces while you save up for the next repair. But if buying one means spending the last of your savings, I'd advise you to wait. It's much better to buy your Bentley a little later than regret the decision after your very first visit to the workshop.
Tip from Kris Mladenov: If your Bentley spends most of its time in the garage and you rarely drive it, keep the battery connected to a maintenance charger. It'll help prevent unnecessary battery drain and some of those unpleasant surprises with the electronics. It's a small bit of care that could save you a lot of headaches.
I hope you've found this article useful! If you have, I'd love you to share it with a friend who's dreaming of owning a Bentley Continental GT or already has one. My mission is simple: when I know something useful, I want more people to know it too. Because the right information today could save you a lot of trouble tomorrow.
Read more
- Pre-purchase inspection
- Diagnostics
- Lamborghini and Bentley Servicing: Why Training Matters
- Audi Air Suspension Problems: Why Does It Sag?
- ZF 8HP Tiptronic Oil Change: Touareg, Q7 & Cayenne
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to maintain a Bentley Continental GT?
It depends on the condition of the car, its service history and what work has already been done. The important thing is to set aside a proper maintenance budget. Don't assume that because you bought the car at a bargain price, it'll be cheap to look after.
Should I choose a Bentley Continental GT W12 or V8?
Both the W12 6.0 and V8 4.0 have twin turbochargers, but I wouldn't make the decision based on the engine alone. I'd put the condition and service history of the individual car first.
What are the most common Bentley Continental GT problems?
Pay attention to the air suspension, leaks, cooling system, battery, electronics and brakes. Before buying, make sure the car has been properly inspected and the fault codes have been read from every control module.