1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit 6.8L Petrol · E655 SEL
1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit (6.8L, petrol). First registered 18 Jan 1988. Recorded mileage 104,250 miles. MOT expired on 28 Aug 2023.
- Make & Model
- ROLLS ROYCE SILVER SPIRIT
- Year / Origin
- 1988 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 28 Aug 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 104,250 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 6.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
E655 SEL Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 30/08/2022
- 104,250 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
E655 SEL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit (E655 SEL) between August 2022 and August 2022.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 30 August 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (1 issue), Windscreen (1 issue), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 4 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))”; “Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))”; “Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))”.
E655 SEL Mileage History
- 25/08/2022103,798 mi
- 30/08/2022104,250 mi+452 mi
Average of roughly 34,068 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Common Problems: ROLLS ROYCE SILVER SPIRIT
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- High-Pressure Hydraulic Braking Accumulator and Mineral Oil System Failure(Serious)
The SZ generation employs a complex Citroën-licensed dual-circuit hydraulic system operating at over 2,000 psi to power the braking system and rear self-levelling suspension. The nitrogen-charged brake accumulator spheres lose pressure over 5 to 8 years, resulting in a rock-hard brake pedal, prolonged pump cycle times, and reduced reserve braking capacity. If brake fluid types are mistakenly interchanged (such as adding standard DOT fluid into mineral oil systems), internal rubber seals dissolve, triggering catastrophic system failure.
- Rear Hydraulic Suspension Gas Sphere Deterioration and Ride Harshness(Moderate)
The hydropneumatic rear self-levelling suspension relies on two nitrogen-filled gas spring spheres connected to rear hydraulic struts to provide spring compliance and damping. Over time, nitrogen gas permeates across the internal rubber diaphragm, reducing the gas volume until the sphere hydraulically locks solid. This eliminates rear suspension compliance, transmits harsh road shocks directly into the monocoque body, and causes rapid failure of rear subframe bushes and lower shock absorber mountings.
- Exhaust Manifold Cracking and Gasket Blow-By(Moderate)
The 6.75-litre L-Series V8 produces substantial thermal load within a heavily enclosed engine compartment. Over thousands of heat cycles, the cast-iron exhaust manifolds warp and stress their mounting studs, causing the composite manifold gaskets to blow out or the cast manifolds to develop hairline fatigue fractures. Remediation requires extracting seized or snapped studs from the aluminium cylinder heads in extremely tight engine bay clearances, demanding substantial specialist labour.
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ROLLS ROYCE SILVER SPIRIT Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1988 model year cars.
- High-Pressure Hydraulic Braking Accumulator and Mineral Oil System FailureSerious
The SZ generation employs a complex Citroën-licensed dual-circuit hydraulic system operating at over 2,000 psi to power the braking system and rear self-levelling suspension. The nitrogen-charged brake accumulator spheres lose pressure over 5 to 8 years, resulting in a rock-hard brake pedal, prolonged pump cycle times, and reduced reserve braking capacity. If brake fluid types are mistakenly interchanged (such as adding standard DOT fluid into mineral oil systems), internal rubber seals dissolve, triggering catastrophic system failure.
- Rear Hydraulic Suspension Gas Sphere Deterioration and Ride HarshnessModerate
The hydropneumatic rear self-levelling suspension relies on two nitrogen-filled gas spring spheres connected to rear hydraulic struts to provide spring compliance and damping. Over time, nitrogen gas permeates across the internal rubber diaphragm, reducing the gas volume until the sphere hydraulically locks solid. This eliminates rear suspension compliance, transmits harsh road shocks directly into the monocoque body, and causes rapid failure of rear subframe bushes and lower shock absorber mountings.
- Exhaust Manifold Cracking and Gasket Blow-ByModerate
The 6.75-litre L-Series V8 produces substantial thermal load within a heavily enclosed engine compartment. Over thousands of heat cycles, the cast-iron exhaust manifolds warp and stress their mounting studs, causing the composite manifold gaskets to blow out or the cast manifolds to develop hairline fatigue fractures. Remediation requires extracting seized or snapped studs from the aluminium cylinder heads in extremely tight engine bay clearances, demanding substantial specialist labour.
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