IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2006 Bentley Arnage

We've identified 3 known issues that can affect the 2006 Bentley Arnage. 2 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

3
Known Issues
2
Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Camshaft and Hydraulic Tappet Failure

SeriousEngine

Early iterations of the 6.75-litre twin-turbo L-Series V8 in the Arnage Red Label and Arnage T suffer from premature camshaft lobe wear and hydraulic tappet degradation, particularly between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. Caused by aggressive cam ramp angles combined with early Bosch Motronic ECU calibration and modern low-zinc engine oils. If neglected, flattened cam lobes cause valve timing retardation, rough running, and cylinder misfires. Resolving it requires an engine-out teardown to replace the camshaft, pushrods, and lifters, or retrofitting the post-2007 roller-tappet specification.

Est. Repair Cost: £3,500–£7,500
Warning Signs:

Noticeable engine misfire under light to moderate load, Ticking or tapping valvetrain noise that persists after warm-up, Loss of mid-range torque and acceleration power, Check Engine Light illuminated with cylinder misfire codes

What to Inspect:
  • Listen closely to cylinder head covers on both banks with a mechanic stethoscope for valvetrain clatter
  • Scan OBD-II memory for recorded misfire fault codes on specific cylinders
  • Examine service documentation for regular high-zinc oil changes or evidence of camshaft replacement
  • Inspect engine smooth running data across all eight cylinders on diagnostic software
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Cylinder Head Gasket Failure

SeriousCooling System

On early 6.75-litre Crewe V8 models, cylinder head gasket failure is a documented concern resulting from intense thermal cycling and high cylinder peak pressures inside a tightly packed engine bay. The composite gaskets degrade, allowing combustion gas leakage into the cooling jackets, leading to coolant pressurisation, external coolant weeping, and potential engine overheating. Rectification is labour-intensive due to minimal clearance, requiring the cylinder heads to be skimmed and upgraded multi-layer steel gaskets installed.

Est. Repair Cost: £4,000–£7,000
Warning Signs:

Excessive sweet-smelling white exhaust smoke on acceleration, Coolant expansion tank pressurisation or bubbling coolant, Gradual unexplained loss of coolant requiring repeated top-ups, Engine temperature needle climbing past mid-point in traffic

What to Inspect:
  • Carry out a block combustion-leak test on the coolant expansion tank header
  • Check oil filler cap and dipstick for milky mayonnaise-like emulsion
  • Inspect service history for recorded head gasket replacement or upgraded multi-layer steel gaskets
  • Check underside of engine bay for coolant staining around cylinder head to block joint lines
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Electro-Hydraulic Suspension Bush and Damper Wear

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

With a kerb weight approaching 2.6 tonnes, the double-wishbone suspension and adaptive dampers suffer heavy wear on UK roads. Rubber bushes in the front upper and lower wishbones perish, causing knocks over road irregularities and erratic front tyre wear. In addition, the electronic active dampers and hydraulic accumulator spheres lose damping performance with age, leading to a harsh, jiggly ride rather than the cloud-like compliance intended by Bentley.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,200–£3,000
Warning Signs:

Dull knocking or clunking sounds over low-speed road imperfections, Harsh or choppy ride quality instead of smooth damping, Uneven front tyre shoulder scrubbing, Vehicle wandering or tramlining on UK motorway ruts

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect upper and lower front wishbone bushes and drop links for rubber perishing or tears
  • Check electronic active damper units for hydraulic fluid misting or weeping
  • Take a test drive over speed cushions and listen for clunks from the front subframe
  • Examine front tyre tread depth across the full contact patch for uneven inner edge wear
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2006 Bentley Arnage

  • Insist on a documented service history from franchised Bentley dealers or recognized UK specialists such as Flying Spares, IntroCar, or P&A Wood.
  • Listen intently for valvetrain ticking on 6.75-litre pre-2007 engines, which indicates worn camshaft lobes and hydraulic tappets.
  • Check the coolant expansion tank for combustion pressurisation or mayonnaise-like emulsion on the dipstick to detect head gasket leaks.
  • Operate all electrical cabin equipment, including the electric seats, window regulators, climate control dampers, and sat-nav display.
  • Inspect the rear wheel arches, lower door edges, and front inner wings behind the arch liners for hidden galvanic or road salt corrosion.
20052007–2009
Check a 2006 Bentley Arnage by Registration