Do Bentleys need a lot of maintenance? We look at if owning a Bentley is expensive and how much does it cost to maintain a Bentley?
How Much Does It Cost To Maintain A Bentley?
For those with money enough to purchase a Bentley, the expensive maintenance and ownership costs shouldn't be too much worry.
Those lucky few with Bentleys on their driveways or in their garages will find that the maintenance costs incurred through ownership have little to do with the car's performance. While they have impressive top speeds, Bentley's main USPs are comfort and style.
Therefore, Bentley's annual maintenance costs focus on looking after a top-of-the-range luxury vehicle with top-of-the-range luxury features.
Bentleys are glorious cars, and owning one can be a thrilling experience for anybody, but before you rush out to splash some cash, it will be helpful to prepare yourself for the maintenance costs involved in owning one.
While these costs will differ between Bentley models, such as the Bentley Continental GT and Bentley Mulsanne, and between production years, your overall maintenance costs will be determined by how much you drive your Bentley.
As a rough guide, you can expect to pay up to £2,000 per year to maintain your Bentley. This price covers the manufacturer recommended services that need to be conducted after every 10,000 miles driven or once a year, whichever comes first.
Again, these costs depend on how much you drive your Bentley and can vary anywhere from £800 per year up to £8,000. The age of your vehicle will also affect your maintenance costs, as older Bentleys will require more repairs than ones fresh out of the factory.
What is the maintenance on a Bentley?
To maintain your Bentley as the manufacturer recommends, you should have it serviced every 10,000 miles. These Bentley services and maintenance procedures include:
- Synthetic oil changes
- Filter changes
- Tyre rotation
- Wiper replacement
- Pollen filter replacement
- Key fob battery replacement
The Bentley mechanics will also check the car's vitals, such as the engine, transmission and exhaust systems, to ensure everything is working perfectly. They will also conduct any repairs should they be needed.
Is Owning A Bentley Expensive?
Yes, Bentleys are definitely expensive cars. However, this shouldn't come as a shock for such a luxurious car.
Compared to your standard Fords and VWs, you're going to be getting a lot more for your money when you purchase a Bentley. But again, we come to the maintenance costs.
The high-end nature of Bentleys means they need proper care and routine maintenance to keep them functioning properly. No car, even luxury ones, from Bentley to Rolls Royce, comes without issues.
Bentleys have specific ones to look out for, alongside the standard repairs and maintenance often required for older vehicles with more miles on their clocks.
With all this in mind, it is easy to imagine how the cost of owning a Bentley can quickly add up - not to mention the initial purchasing price of around £160,000 at your friendly Bentley dealership - unless you're buying a used Bentley.
Compared to this figure, £2,000 per year maintenance costs don't seem that troublesome.
However with specific issues plaguing certain manufacturers, you need to be aware of what is likely to go wrong with your car.
Problems will only add to your yearly maintenance costs when they occur, so don't underestimate how much Bentley ownership will cost you.
What Issues Do Bentley's Have?
As previously mentioned, there are certain issues that Bentley cars are more likely to see than other brands. This is the same with most manufacturers, with specific issues common to each luxury brand. For Bentleys in particular, these are the ones to look out for:
- Engine failure
- Malfunctioning window motors
- Suspension issues
- Brake light failure
- Power steering issues
- Brake hose malfunction
- Oil leaks
Bentley Routine Maintenance Cost
Most high-end vehicle manufacturers highly recommend routine maintenance.
In fact, they will give you a set maintenance schedule with intervals of when you need to take your car to be serviced.
This is because the cars they produce are either crafted for performance and will therefore experience more wear and tear or for luxurious style, in which case you need to keep a close eye on how the car is performing.
Following your manufacturer's recommended service schedule is the best way to keep your car in good condition, avoiding significant issues and expensive repairs that will cost you more money than normal.
However, for Bentleys specifically, these routine services will cost you between £900 to £1200 per year. Over a ten-year ownership period, this can amount to roughly £17,500 if you throw in some necessary repairs.
These prices are general estimates, given that maintenance costs can vary widely depending on how often you drive your Bentley.
If you want to take a look at how the costs break down for different maintenance services, we've detailed some of the more common ones here:
According to the manufacturer's recommended schedule intervals, your Bentley will need an oil and filter change after every 10,000 miles.
Depending on the mechanic's service you choose to carry out the oil change and the type of oil you choose to fill your Bentley up with, the price for this can vary. However, oil and filter changes for Bentleys usually cost around £500.
This price will vary depending on the model of Bentley you own, but a new set of wiper blades will set you back at around £60.
There will also be an additional installation charge, bumping up your overall maintenance costs.
Given that Bentleys are produced as high-performance vehicles, ensuring they are safe to drive is vital.
This includes ensuring the brake pads on your Bentley car are in working order. Fresh brake pads will also prevent any damage to your rotors, improving the longevity of your vehicle. Typically, a front and rear brake pad set will cost you around £1,000, depending on your model.
Again, Bentleys hold luxury status, meaning their tyres are naturally expensive, easily in the four-figure territory, especially if you buy from the manufacturer.
But it would be best if you didn't skimp on your tyres; they're the only thing keeping you on the road, after all. For a full set of brand new tyres on your Bentley, you can expect to part with at least £1,500.
While it's an essential component in your car, replacing the battery in your Bentley isn't that expensive compared to other elements, such as the aforementioned brake pads.
Depending on your servicing centre and the type of battery you choose, a new one will cost you roughly £250.
A transmission flush is one of the services that help keep your Bentley safe to drive.
The flushing process itself will cost you around £450, while the fluid used will cost roughly £80.
The cooling system is vital in any car, especially in luxury vehicles, given their high-performance capabilities. This system can corrode and break down with age, posing significant threats to those using the vehicle.
Ensuring your cooling system works properly with a coolant flush is the best way to keep your car safe to drive. For Bentleys, this service will cost around £700.
You should replace your spark plugs every 30,000 to 60,000 miles as a rough guide. This interval will differ depending on how often you drive and your driving style.
If your spark plugs malfunction, this can lead to serious and expensive electrical issues. For a V8 Bentley engine, replacing all your spark plugs will cost you around £1,400 as a standard charge.
If you are more aggressive when driving or cover more miles, this service may be more expensive.
Factors That Affect Maintenence Cost
Given that the cost of maintaining your Bentley can be affected by numerous factors, it will be beneficial to know what these factors are. The first of these is the weather.
Driving your Bentley in an area with extreme weather, such as high winds or excessive rain, can stress your vehicle's components. This increases the chances of something going wrong and needing repairs.
Alongside this, your driving style can also put added strain on your vehicle. If you're particularly heavy-footed or drive aggressively, you will increase the wear and tear your Bentley experiences.
This can ultimately lead to more expensive repairs or replacing a few parts. Of course, this goes hand in hand with how often you use your Bentley.
hose Bentley owners who only take their car out for the occasional spin will have fewer issues than those who take them out every day. Naturally, the final factor to consider is how well-maintained your Bentley vehicle is.
Taking care of your Bentley by following the manufacturer's recommendations is the best way to keep your maintenance costs down, given that your mechanics and technicians can spot issues early and resolve them before they become expensive.
Owning any luxury vehicle is an expensive decision, but if you have deep pockets, it is definitely worth the costs.
Are you looking for Bentley be servicing in Sittingbourne and Kent? Our independent Bentley specialist offers repairs, diagnostics and repairs.
