Bentley Continental GT coupe (2010-2017) - Reliability & safety
Bentley is owned by the Volkswagen Group, so reliability should be top-notch
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.
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.
