How often a Bentley Continental GT needs servicing, what each service covers, the faults to watch on older cars, and your warranty rights.
A Continental GT is built for effortless long-distance driving, and a well-maintained one delivers exactly that. The flip side is that parts and labour are expensive, so catching problems early matters more than on most cars.
How often does a Bentley need servicing?
The Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga are typically serviced every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. On older cars the annual visits alternate between a smaller (interim) service and a major one. Bentley's own service plans follow a similar pattern:
| Service | What's typically included |
|---|---|
| Every year | Engine oil and filter, pollen filters, wipers and a thorough inspection |
| Every second year | Adds brake fluid and air filters |
| Major services | Add spark plugs, and checks of suspension, brakes, drive belts and gearbox and final drive oil levels |
The newest hybrid Continental GT has its own schedule, so check the service book for your car.
Faults worth knowing about on older Continental GTs
Air suspension
Leaking air struts and tired compressors are the most common large repair. Watch for a corner that sits low after the car has been parked, or a compressor running more than it used to. A replacement strut has to be set up and coded properly afterwards.
Cooling system
Water pumps, brittle hoses and corroded radiators all come up on older cars, and the W12 is tightly packaged, so some cooling repairs involve a lot of labour. Investigate small coolant losses early.
Ignition coils
Coil failures on the W12 cause misfires, usually showing as an engine warning light and rough running. See what to do when your check engine light comes on.
Brakes
Steel discs and pads are a significant cost, and carbon-ceramic brakes far more. Rear calipers and electronic parking brake motors can fail too, so it pays to check brake condition at every service rather than be surprised.
Batteries and electrics
Earlier Continental GTs have two batteries and drain if left standing, and a flat battery can leave fault codes across the car's modules. If yours isn't driven weekly, keep it on a battery maintainer: there's a charging socket in the boot for exactly that.
Gearbox care
First-generation cars use a ZF six-speed automatic, later ones an eight-speed, and the third generation a dual-clutch. Gearbox oil is often described as filled for life, but on a car of this weight and value it's worth discussing a fluid change as the miles build up. See sealed-for-life gearbox fluid.
Servicing a Bentley outside the franchised network
- The law: UK competition rules and the regulator's guidance mean a manufacturer's warranty generally can't be made conditional on routine servicing being done only by franchised dealers, provided the work follows the schedule with suitable parts.
- Bentley service plans are different: they're prepaid services, used at authorised Bentley retailers.
- Certified pre-owned and extended warranties require a valid, up-to-date service history, and a gap may mean a major service is needed first. Check the terms with the warranty provider before deciding where to service.
Whoever services your Bentley, keep every invoice. A complete history protects the warranty and the car's value.
Bentley servicing at Mitsiland
Mitsiland was founded by Philip Hedley, whose engineering background includes research and development at Bentley Motors. We service and repair the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga, alongside vehicle diagnostics, automatic gearbox servicing and on-site MOT testing, and we also offer Bentley infotainment upgrades. Mitsiland is an independent specialist and is not affiliated with Bentley Motors.
Mitsiland is an independent specialist at Tameside Business Park, 4 Windmill Lane, Denton, Manchester M34 3QS. Call 0161 320 7788 or book online.
