2000 BENTLEY ARNAGE6.8L PETROL

The 2000 Bentley Arnage presents a stable but watchful maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 20 October 2025 at 17,510 miles, passed with two minor advisories: both nearside and offside rear lower shock absorber bushes were flagged as slightly worn. This is not a new problem. The same pair of advisories appeared in the 2024 test at 17,013 miles and again in the 2022 test at 15,678 miles. The 2023 and 2021 tests were completely clean. The trend is not worsening in any alarming sense, but the recurring nature of these bush wear advisories across three separate tests suggests the rear suspension bushes have been in a borderline condition for at least four years and have not been replaced. On a vehicle of this age and value, that is a pattern worth understanding rather than ignoring. The mileage profile is exceptionally low. Over roughly 26 years, the odometer has advanced only 17,510 miles, averaging around 673 miles per year. The annual increments tell a similar story: 497 miles between October 2023 and October 2024, 943 miles between October 2022 and October 2023, and 889 miles between November 2021 and November 2022. There are no sudden jumps or gaps in the record that would suggest odometer tampering, but the car has clearly spent long periods stationary. Extended sitting can cause its own problems, from perished rubber bushes and seized brake calipers to flat-spotted tyres and stale fuel residues, none of which are fully captured by an MOT pass. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the rear suspension and underbody. The repeated shock absorber bush advisories point to aged rubber components that may now have deteriorated beyond the "slightly worn" threshold recorded in 2025. Check for play, cracking, or softening in all rear suspension bushes, not just the lower shock mounts. Inspect the condition of the coil springs for sag or corrosion, and examine the rear brake discs and calipers for uneven wear or binding, as low-mileage cars frequently suffer from sticking calipers and glazed pads. Look beneath the car for any signs of structural corrosion on the subframes, sills, and jacking points, since a vehicle that has sat for long periods in damp conditions can develop surface rust that progresses quickly once use resumes. The tyres also deserve close scrutiny; original or aged rubber with good tread depth can still be dangerous if the sidewalls show cracking from age rather than use.