Skip advert
Advertisement

Bentley Continental GT coupe (2010-2017) - Reliability & safety

Bentley is owned by the Volkswagen Group, so reliability should be top-notch

Carbuyer Rating

3.7 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

3.0 out of 5

Historically, Bentley have been cars that are handed down through the generations like a family heirloom. Today’s Bentleys are far more complex than their predecessors and require expert maintenance to stay at their best, but with high-quality materials and proven technology, there’s no reason to doubt the Continental GT’s longevity.

Bentley Continental GT reliability

Bentley is part of the Volkswagen Group, an organisation with a sound reputation for quality, if not always reliability. The Continental GT shares some parts with other Volkswagens, particularly the now-discontinued Volkswagen Phaeton luxury saloon, but everything you see and touch, inside and out, is exclusively Bentley. That includes the hand-built interior and even technology like the infotainment system, which was developed by Bentley itself.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our annual Driver Power owner satisfaction survey has received too few responses from Bentley customers for us to have built a true understanding of their opinions. However, other VW Group brands haven’t always performed well, with Audi finishing 21st and Volkswagen coming 24th overall out of 32 brands surveyed.

However, experience has shown that the W12 engine is particularly strong, with several early cars having covered hundreds of thousands of trouble-free miles. The V8 is a newer engine, but has been in use since 2013, so any mechanical niggles should have been sorted by now.

Safety

Although never crash-tested by Euro NCAP, the Bentley Continental boasts an advanced four-wheel-drive system to help keep it out of trouble. The optional carbon-ceramic brakes are an expensive extra unless you buy the Supersports, and given the GT's weight, we'd recommend splashing out.

The optional adaptive cruise control will be handy on long motorway drives, as it adjusts your speed to stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The system can even bring the car to a complete stop if there's a traffic jam. A first-aid kit and a space-saver spare wheel can also be added from the options list for extra peace of mind.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New cars coming in 2024: upcoming cars to get excited about
Cars coming in 2024
News
23 Sep 2024

New cars coming in 2024: upcoming cars to get excited about

About to spend £60k on an Audi Q6 e-tron? Try these alternatives and save over £20k
Audi Q6 e-tron front 3/4 tracking
News
26 Sep 2024

About to spend £60k on an Audi Q6 e-tron? Try these alternatives and save over £20k

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
27 Sep 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024