Bentley Arnage (2002)
2002 Bentley Arnage
CarHunch analysed 286 real MOT records for the 2002 Bentley Arnage. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Bentley Arnage passes its MOT first time 86.9% of the time, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%—but one in four of these cars (25.9%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious buyer concern for a vehicle of this age and complexity. This reliability advantage suggests these Arnages have been well-maintained overall, likely because they're owned by keepers with the means to service them properly.
At 44,557 miles median, these cars have covered relatively low mileage for their 22-year age, indicating gentle use typical of luxury vehicles. When failures do occur, owners average 2.5 per test and rack up 12.8 advisories, pointing to wear on ancillary systems and trim rather than catastrophic mechanical problems—but the high advisory count underscores that keeping a Bentley this age roadworthy demands attention to detail. Before committing to one, get a specialist pre-purchase inspection focused on fuel system integrity, transmission electronics, and suspension components, as the frequency of dangerous defects suggests these are the problem areas to watch.
What to check before buying a 2002 Bentley Arnage
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 25.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Bentley Arnage
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 285 | 86.8% | 2.5 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 93.8% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Bentley Arnage vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2002 Bentley Arnage vehicles fall between 29,867 and 59,082 miles.
2002 Bentley Arnage — Still on the Road
151 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Bentley Arnage
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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65.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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33.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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28.6%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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23.5%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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20.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Bentley Arnage?
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