Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Bentley Arnage?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Bentley Arnage?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Bentley Arnage?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 Bentley Arnage vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Bentley Arnage reliable?

Based on MOT data from 162 vehicles, the 2004 Bentley Arnage has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Bentley Arnage?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Bentley Arnage are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (42.4% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (42.1% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (33.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Bentley Arnage?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Bentley Arnage (2004)

162 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.1% first-time pass rate

2004 Bentley Arnage

CarHunch analysed 162 real MOT records for the 2004 Bentley Arnage. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Bentley Arnage passes its MOT first time at 87.1%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, which is a solid result for a 20-year-old luxury car—though one in five have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, so pre-purchase inspection by a Bentley specialist is non-negotiable. At an average mileage of 39,466 miles, these cars are relatively lightly used for their age, yet they still clock up 10.7 advisories per test on average, pointing to the reality that aging luxury cars demand constant attention to suspension, trim, and electrical systems.

Expect roughly two failures per vehicle across its MOT history, which is manageable; the real cost lies in the advisory work—brakes, seals, and cumulative wear on a complex, hand-built engine. Before you buy, have a pre-purchase inspection that includes compression testing and a full review of service history, because a Bentley with cheap maintenance records will cost you far more than one with proof of proper care.

We have limited data for the 2004 Bentley Arnage — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

87.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

21%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.31

Over 16.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 24k–52k

For context

These stats describe 162 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 162 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 42.4%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 33.9%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 28.3%

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction · …

Suspension & steering 11.1%

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 162 Bentley Arnage cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Bentley Arnage

Based on MOT data from 162 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Bentley Arnage vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

34,807

typical

23,838

low mileage

51,878

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Bentley Arnage vehicles fall between 23,838 and 51,878 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 23,838 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 23,838–51,878 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Bentley Arnages sit.

⚠ Over 70,035 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Bentley Arnage — Still on the Road

Most 2004 Bentley Arnages are still being driven.

97 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 78% 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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.31

Avg failures per vehicle

10.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Bentley Arnage: All Arnage years → Which year to buy? →

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Average reliability — agree?