Approved Used Bentley with Partial Service History?

[wilwak]

I’ve found a lovely Bentley Approved black GT Speed that was registered in January 2013.

Colour scheme and spec just what I want. Price ok. Ultra low mileage.

It’s being sold as Bentley Approved by a Bentley Main Dealer with 12 months warranty.

The only issue is that it was serviced by Bentley after 1 year and not again since.

The dealer says they will give it a fresh service and MOT as part of the sale but that still leaves a full three year gap in the service history.

They assure me it will be fully inspected and checked to Bentley standards.

Should I worry? I’m a bit surprised that a car with such a gap would qualify to be Bentley Approved.

Am I over analysing this?

I accept that residual values may be impacted but if I keep it a few years and have it serviced each year with Bentley then that shouldn’t be too bad.

Welcome thoughts? Thank you.

[Speculatore]

wilwak said:

I’ve found a lovely Bentley Approved black GT Speed that was registered in January 2013.

Colour scheme and spec just what I want. Price ok. Ultra low mileage.

It’s being sold as Bentley Approved by a Bentley Main Dealer with 12 months warranty.

The only issue is that it was serviced by Bentley after 1 year and not again since.

The dealer says they will give it a fresh service and MOT as part of the sale but that still leaves a full three year gap in the service history.

They assure me it will be fully inspected and checked to Bentley standards.

Should I worry? I’m a bit surprised that a car with such a gap would qualify to be Bentley Approved.

Am I over analysing this?

I accept that residual values may be impacted but if I keep it a few years and have it serviced each year with Bentley then that shouldn’t be too bad.

Welcome thoughts? Thank you.

If it is the one for sale at Bentley Birmingham it looks nice although a little expensive. Irrespective I wouldn't be too concerned as long as they give it a good look over, service and MOT. A real telling point would be to see if they would include 1 years warranty with the sale which would show their level of confidence in the car.

Probably with such low mileage they didn't think it needed servicing.....

[wilwak]

Speculatore said:

If it is the one for sale at Bentley Birmingham it looks nice although a little expensive. Irrespective I wouldn't be too concerned as long as they give it a good look over, service and MOT. A real telling point would be to see if they would include 1 years warranty with the sale which would show their level of confidence in the car.

Probably with such low mileage they didn't think it needed servicing.....

Thanks.

It’s not the Birmingham car. It not yet been advertised on the internet.

They are including a 12 month Bentley Approved warranty.

[Magic919]

Speculatore said:

wilwak said:

It’s being sold as Bentley Approved by a Bentley Main Dealer with 12 months warranty.

A real telling point would be to see if they would include 1 years warranty with the sale which would show their level of confidence in the car.

More coffee needed.

I’d expect the lack of servicing to taint the car for some years. Provided you can be sure you’ll keep it long enough to erase that, fair enough. On here I read a lot of Bentleys throwing big bills, so I’d be nervous too.

[buyer&seller]

It would help if you would state what the mileage is between the service carried out at 12 months and the mileage now.

[wilwak]

It was serviced just after one year old at 1000 Miles.

It’s now done 5500 Miles,

It’s had two MOTs which indicate the car has done about 500 Miles pa for the last two years.

[wilwak]

If I’d just bought the car based on the confidence given by it being Bentley Approved and then later looked at the service history to find such a 3+ gap I’d have been a little surprised.

I really like the car and think I want to go for it. I’m just surprised that Bentley has chosen to retail it without a full service history. Is that normal and acceptable? They must obviously think it’s fine.

[buyer&seller]

For many years I worked in sales in Bentley main dealers, although some time ago now so no doubt things will have changed, but back then, when Crewe administered their own warranties, in such circumstances if the car was given a MAJOR service to bring it in line then they were fine with putting a warranty on the car.

As long as they do a big service (4 year?) it wouldn't put me off, as you're planning on keeping a few years I can't see it making any difference on a 7/8 year old plus car come the time you decide to sell. If it's what you want, get it bought and enjoy it.

[memzy88]

Well, unless it is priced really really well i would not buy it. Personally its not a problem for me as long as it will be serviced now and be covered under Bentley warranty but thinking about resale time, you will be asked "Does it have full service history?"... yes, i understand during your ownership it will be serviced but i believe it will make the future buyers/traders hands stronger to negotiate your price down... Its quite like the situation with the number of owners cars have had. Some cars with 5-6 owners during the first 3 years may be much better condition than a 1 owner car but you will get more value out of 1 owner car because many people will be put off by the no of owners on a better condition car. I am really surprised Bentley is selling it as approved used. May i ask which group is it from? i hope not HR Owen.

[wilwak]

It’s not HR Owen.

I’m a little surprised too but am assured that it is fine due to its excellent condition.

Resale value is my only concern really but given that every time previously I’ve looked at buying a Bentley the part-x value offered was below that of webuyanycar I wouldn’t part-x anyway.

I keyed the car in to webuyanycar and the difference in value between a full service history and a partial history was a mere £700.

Buying a Bentley is obviously a money losing project but I accept that?

Looks like I can get a 2 year warranty thrown in so it’s looking like a go for me! :-)

Thanks for the feedback. I’m still a bit surprised a main dealer is retailing it even though it appears ‘like new’. I wouldn’t have thought it would pass a ‘Bentley Approved’ checklist.

[ruhall]

Interesting; I've always assumed an Approved Bentley required a full service history as per manufacturer's requirements. However, reading the blurb it would seem not, simply that the service history is established. That means it could be b****r all, but if it's established as b****r all, that's fine. MB certainly used to insist on full SH as per schedule in order for a car to be sold under their approved used scheme.

https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/pre-owned/...

Having said that, if I intended keeping it for a couple of years or more, it wouldn't concern me.

[memzy88]

fair enough wilwak, looks like decision has been made if you are buying it for the right price then its ok i think. 12 months warranty extension costs a mere £3k so push for it now.

I am on my second GT Speed, they are amazing cars and i have really positive experience with HR Owen Berkshire. Many tests/ reviews suggests V8S is the one to buy but to be honest after a test drive there was no way i would pick one over the Speed. what color combo you going for?

[wilwak]

I also did some research and established that Bentley simply ‘verify the service history’. They don’t actually require a car to have one to become ‘approved’. Seems a little bizarre!

I kept being told that a V8S was the drivers car of choice but after test driving it was the big W12 of the Speed that just felt like a real Bentley.

MPG looks interesting but I won’t be doing many miles in the Speed so I’m not too worried. The V8S was more nimble for sure.

Hoping to secure it tomorrow.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Always nice to sound such things out.

[memzy88]

How it went wilwak? Have you got the car? Any pics?

[wilwak]

Deal all done! 🤗

Collect on Friday. 👍

[Speculatore]

wilwak said:

Deal all done! ??

Collect on Friday. ??

Where was it on sale? At least we could look at it on their website until you upload yours...

[turbobloke]

wilwak said:

It’s not HR Owen.

. . .

Thanks for the feedback. I’m still a bit surprised a main dealer is retailing it even though it appears ‘like new’. I wouldn’t have thought it would pass a ‘Bentley Approved’ checklist.

Will they let you see the inspection checklist outcomes? I'd definitely ask in your position.

I got a Continental GT from outside the dealer network a year or so ago but with the benefit of a pre-purchase inspection from the local authorised Bentley dealer. An H R Owen establishment as it happens.

Obviously it didn't offer any guarantees about the future but it made buying the car an informed choice as I knew what needed doing in gory detail.

[turbobloke]

OK just seen the deal has been done, I really must start/finish typing before going off to do something else and forgetting the thread...best of luck!

[wilwak]

Very very happy with it.

All good so far. No regrets at all. 👍

Awesome car!

[goddo]

wilwak said:

Very very happy with it.

All good so far. No regrets at all. ??

Awesome car!

So, how has the car been since buying? Any pics that we can look at?
Any other observations/comments you want to share with us?