2016 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0L Petrol · TMC 1

The Bentley Flying Spur’s most recent MOT, conducted on 30 March 2026 at 11,265 miles , passed without any defects—a positive outcome following a period of instability. However, the vehicle’s history reveals a concerning pattern of two consecutive failures in April 2025, both occurring within two days and just 22 miles apart , indicating either deferred repairs or a lack of immediate attention to critical issues. The primary faults— tyre non-compliance due to incorrect rotation and substandard service and parking brake efficiency —suggest that basic maintenance was either overlooked or addressed inadequately. Since then, the car has passed two further tests without defects, but the 2025 failures remain a red flag for brake system reliability, particularly given the high-stakes nature of Bentley’s braking components, which often incorporate advanced caliper and rotor designs prone to binding if fluid or wear is neglected. The absence of further advisories or defects in the latest tests does not fully absolve the concern, as brake efficiency issues typically require professional diagnosis to rule out latent wear or corrosion in the hydraulic or mechanical systems. The vehicle’s extremely low annual mileage —averaging just 1,126 miles per year over its decade of ownership—is unusual for a luxury car and raises questions about its usage history. The gap between November 2023 (10,326 miles) and November 2022 (8,825 miles) suggests a 15-month period with no recorded mileage accumulation , which could imply prolonged storage or very light use. Such low mileage often correlates with underused consumables (e.g., brake pads, tyres, suspension bushes), but it also risks fluid degradation (brake fluid, differential oils) and corrosion in less frequently driven environments. The fact that the car only accumulated 823 miles in 15 months between 2022 and 2023 further supports this, though the subsequent 1,624 miles in the following 17 months (by April 2025) indicates some recent activity. Buyers should verify whether the car has been garaged consistently or exposed to moisture-prone conditions , as Bentley’s aluminium-intensive construction can still suffer from electrolytic corrosion in hidden areas if not maintained in climate-controlled settings. For a prospective buyer, the brake system demands immediate scrutiny , particularly the front and rear calipers, brake fluid condition, and rotor thickness , given the 2025 failures for efficiency . The tyre rotation issue —though resolved—hints at a lack of adherence to basic maintenance, so inspect the tread depth, sidewall integrity, and rotation history for all four positions. Given the car’s age and low mileage, suspension components (control arm bushes, coil springs, anti-roll bar links) should be checked for premature wear or corrosion , as static loading over years can accelerate degradation. Finally, while the latest MOT is clean, the absence of advisories does not guarantee structural soundness —a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion (especially around the sills, subframe, and exhaust mounts) is essential, as Bentley’s low-chassis design can conceal rust in critical load-bearing areas. The car’s clean recent MOTs are encouraging, but the 2025 failures and irregular mileage pattern necessitate a pre-purchase brake and suspension assessment by a specialist familiar with Bentley’s systems .