Why don't Bentley owners service their cars properly?
Discussion
Louis Balfour said:
I have enquired about ten or so over the past week and only one had a full history.
I have just called about a 2016 Mulsanne and it had no services at all until 2021.
Surly the owners will lose more by reduced asset value than the services would have cost?
It's completely beyond me and very short sighted of these owners.I have just called about a 2016 Mulsanne and it had no services at all until 2021.
Surly the owners will lose more by reduced asset value than the services would have cost?
Of course servicing these cars is not what you would call cheap, but not servicing them properly and on time, will cost the owner a lot more money in the long run, both in terms of loss at time of resale and risk of reduced reliability.
I currently have a 2014 Series 2 RR Phantom Drophead, not only do I always service it on time, but I also still extend the Rolls-Royce Warranty every year without fail. Not only does the warranty give me great peace of mind, but I believe this also adds value to the car each year.
The reassurance that the next owner will get from knowing that this car has never been out of RR warranty, and therefore never wanted for anything, is what will set it apart from the neglected. I also expect to recover most of the extended warranty costs I've incurred at time of resale because of this.
I realise that the warranty principal won't necessarily apply to all Bentleys, but certainly in terms of annual servicing, it's a no brainer!
Mulsanne-Speed said:
Louis Balfour said:
I have enquired about ten or so over the past week and only one had a full history.
I have just called about a 2016 Mulsanne and it had no services at all until 2021.
Surly the owners will lose more by reduced asset value than the services would have cost?
It's completely beyond me and very short sighted of these owners.I have just called about a 2016 Mulsanne and it had no services at all until 2021.
Surly the owners will lose more by reduced asset value than the services would have cost?
Of course servicing these cars is not what you would call cheap, but not servicing them properly and on time, will cost the owner a lot more money in the long run, both in terms of loss at time of resale and risk of reduced reliability.
I currently have a 2014 Series 2 RR Phantom Drophead, not only do I always service it on time, but I also still extend the Rolls-Royce Warranty every year without fail. Not only does the warranty give me great peace of mind, but I believe this also adds value to the car each year.
The reassurance that the next owner will get from knowing that this car has never been out of RR warranty, and therefore never wanted for anything, is what will set it apart from the neglected. I also expect to recover most of the extended warranty costs I've incurred at time of resale because of this.
I realise that the warranty principal won't necessarily apply to all Bentleys, but certainly in terms of annual servicing, it's a no brainer!
Not a single service from new til 2021. Bonkers.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...
I don’t think that this is unique to Bentley owners.
The majority of cars are not bought by enthusiasts and these owners will only be guided by the manufacturer recommendations or a dashboard reminder that a service is due.
The example in the link above at only just over 8,000 miles probably has no indication to the non enthusiast that it needs a service with such a small mileage.
The majority of cars are not bought by enthusiasts and these owners will only be guided by the manufacturer recommendations or a dashboard reminder that a service is due.
The example in the link above at only just over 8,000 miles probably has no indication to the non enthusiast that it needs a service with such a small mileage.
TR4man said:
I don’t think that this is unique to Bentley owners.
The majority of cars are not bought by enthusiasts and these owners will only be guided by the manufacturer recommendations or a dashboard reminder that a service is due.
The example in the link above at only just over 8,000 miles probably has no indication to the non enthusiast that it needs a service with such a small mileage.
I suspect most owners know that a service is due annually.The majority of cars are not bought by enthusiasts and these owners will only be guided by the manufacturer recommendations or a dashboard reminder that a service is due.
The example in the link above at only just over 8,000 miles probably has no indication to the non enthusiast that it needs a service with such a small mileage.
I also saw that Mulsanne on Autotrader earlier today, and my first thoughts were that it has some history missing, as Bentley Franchised Dealers are so short of stock, it wouldn’t have gone outside the network.
Personally I wouldn’t buy a Mulsanne unless it was with a Bentley dealership.
Personally I wouldn’t buy a Mulsanne unless it was with a Bentley dealership.
paulbirkin said:
I also saw that Mulsanne on Autotrader earlier today, and my first thoughts were that it has some history missing, as Bentley Franchised Dealers are so short of stock, it wouldn’t have gone outside the network.
Personally I wouldn’t buy a Mulsanne unless it was with a Bentley dealership.
Increasingly I am thinking the same.Personally I wouldn’t buy a Mulsanne unless it was with a Bentley dealership.
Not that the Bentley network is the paragon of excellence, it seems,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to extend the Manufacturer's warranty on a Mulsanne is approximately £7k per annum. Also, I'm pretty sure it's a 2 year warranty when you buy an approved used Bentley, so there's £14k in value there to start with. Then there's the pre delivery inspection, and reassurance that in the event of an issue, they'll be a lot more likely to solve it without hesitation - Doubt it would be the same story with an independent car dealer.
I definitely wouldn't buy outside the network, not unless it was a perfect low mileage FSH example, with warranty that could be extended, at least until you get to know the car.
I definitely wouldn't buy outside the network, not unless it was a perfect low mileage FSH example, with warranty that could be extended, at least until you get to know the car.
Mulsanne-Speed said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to extend the Manufacturer's warranty on a Mulsanne is approximately £7k per annum. Also, I'm pretty sure it's a 2 year warranty when you buy an approved used Bentley, so there's £14k in value there to start with. Then there's the pre delivery inspection, and reassurance that in the event of an issue, they'll be a lot more likely to solve it without hesitation - Doubt it would be the same story with an independent car dealer.
I definitely wouldn't buy outside the network, not unless it was a perfect low mileage FSH example, with warranty that could be extended, at least until you get to know the car.
It's twelve months used warranty from Bentley, unless it has changed in the past year. Also, to my surprise, they only service them if there is under 6 months left to the next scheduled one.I definitely wouldn't buy outside the network, not unless it was a perfect low mileage FSH example, with warranty that could be extended, at least until you get to know the car.
My current Bentley came from a Lookers Land Rover dealership. But I knew the car had been through HR Owen within the previous year.
When I started looking at Mulsannes, I pondered why the majority of them are in the hands of independents. It looks like it's the servicing thing. That said, Bentley will retail cars without full history.
I am inclined to agree that main agent is the way to go. Though I may consider buying one from a large non-Bentley dealer that is big enough to be motivated to sort out issues if they arise.
You're probably right Louis, it probably is 12 months now, although you might be able to squeeze an extra 12 months out of the dealer at time of purchase - Certainly worth a go.
I think it used to be 24 months with Bentley (although again, I could be mistaken). I know Land Rover has done the same, they used to be 24 months approved used warranty, now they're down at 12 months. Rolls-Royce I believe is still 2 years.
Yes, I would agree that a company like Lookers are big enough to support in the event of an issue, it's the smaller independents I'd avoid, where you're dealing with the owner. I think you've just got to weigh it all up and judge each car and situation on it's merits
I think it used to be 24 months with Bentley (although again, I could be mistaken). I know Land Rover has done the same, they used to be 24 months approved used warranty, now they're down at 12 months. Rolls-Royce I believe is still 2 years.
Yes, I would agree that a company like Lookers are big enough to support in the event of an issue, it's the smaller independents I'd avoid, where you're dealing with the owner. I think you've just got to weigh it all up and judge each car and situation on it's merits
I'm on my second Conti GT. Bought both outside the dealer network, got Bentley to check the cars over pre-purchase and took a factory warranty on both purchases.
It's not my experience that Bentley owners flout servicing - but I hang with the BDC crowd who tend to be very protective of their cars.
It's not my experience that Bentley owners flout servicing - but I hang with the BDC crowd who tend to be very protective of their cars.
Lockhouse said:
I'm on my second Conti GT. Bought both outside the dealer network, got Bentley to check the cars over pre-purchase and took a factory warranty on both purchases.
It's not my experience that Bentley owners flout servicing - but I hang with the BDC crowd who tend to be very protective of their cars.
Since I posted my OP I have enquired about 15 cars approximately. Only one had a full service history, apparently, and then I didn't get to see the log book, so I cannot confirm it.It's not my experience that Bentley owners flout servicing - but I hang with the BDC crowd who tend to be very protective of their cars.
A candid chat with a Bentley dealer principal yesterday suggested that serial owners do it with the knowledge that new buyers can do what you have been doing yourself. I still believe, though, that when buying the cars dealers will still ponder over the service book and...."well Mr Customer, I could have offered £10k more if you hadn't missed some services". So I still think it's false economy.
I am in the market for a Mulsanne. I’ve enquired about a number, those in Bentley stock included. Not a single one has had full history.
Two cars I have called about have 5 year gaps, late cars with low miles.
Bentley tells me they will put a warranty on cars with service gaps, providing they have a catch-up service and a pre-warranty check.
The two cars under consideration currently are 2013 and 2016, both with 5 year gaps. Would I need to be bonkers to buy one of them?
Two cars I have called about have 5 year gaps, late cars with low miles.
Bentley tells me they will put a warranty on cars with service gaps, providing they have a catch-up service and a pre-warranty check.
The two cars under consideration currently are 2013 and 2016, both with 5 year gaps. Would I need to be bonkers to buy one of them?
I think there are differing 'types' of owner; enthusiasts and large company-owned where it's done by the book; those who can afford but don't care, if it breaks fix or sell, resale price being irrelevant; those who struggle to come to terms with the true 'costs'.
(I recall looking at a Bentley T2 many years ago, at RR franchise dealer, which looked mint for its 13,000 miles yet when I looked at the service books [how we miss those] I realised it was 130,000 miles but its one-owner had returned it to Crewe every 3-months for servicing.)
The fact that Bentley will warrant for x-years, providing it's serviced/checked would infer that they don't see it as a major problem. If it's low mileage, filters aren't really a problem. Brake fluid, 5 years? Not ideal but probably not a major problem if changed. Engine oil? Gearbox fluid?
M-Benz used to insist in a full/complete MB service history as a condtion of a car being retailed as 'approved'. No longer the case. I know of an 8-year old SL bought from main dealer, 6,000 miles but hardly any servicing, if any, and having spent most of its life parked in a garage: they undertook full recommissioning before selling/warranting, all fluids changed, all filters changed, new tyres. I don't think it's that unusual when owners have multiple cars, sometimes spread across numerous homes
How long do you intend keeping it? Short-term, it might be an issue on resale for some potential buyers; longer-term it becomes less relevant providing you service it.
What exactly is supposed to have been serviced/changed and what would Bentley undertake to bring service history up to date?
Having said that, if it's a personal concern now, would that thought ever disappear, or would you feel more 'content' waiting for one with history?
(I recall looking at a Bentley T2 many years ago, at RR franchise dealer, which looked mint for its 13,000 miles yet when I looked at the service books [how we miss those] I realised it was 130,000 miles but its one-owner had returned it to Crewe every 3-months for servicing.)
The fact that Bentley will warrant for x-years, providing it's serviced/checked would infer that they don't see it as a major problem. If it's low mileage, filters aren't really a problem. Brake fluid, 5 years? Not ideal but probably not a major problem if changed. Engine oil? Gearbox fluid?
M-Benz used to insist in a full/complete MB service history as a condtion of a car being retailed as 'approved'. No longer the case. I know of an 8-year old SL bought from main dealer, 6,000 miles but hardly any servicing, if any, and having spent most of its life parked in a garage: they undertook full recommissioning before selling/warranting, all fluids changed, all filters changed, new tyres. I don't think it's that unusual when owners have multiple cars, sometimes spread across numerous homes
How long do you intend keeping it? Short-term, it might be an issue on resale for some potential buyers; longer-term it becomes less relevant providing you service it.
What exactly is supposed to have been serviced/changed and what would Bentley undertake to bring service history up to date?
Having said that, if it's a personal concern now, would that thought ever disappear, or would you feel more 'content' waiting for one with history?
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Saturday 4th December 12:28
TarquinMX5 said:
I think there are differing 'types' of owner; enthusiasts and large company-owned where it's done by the book; those who can afford but don't care, if it breaks fix or sell, resale price being irrelevant; those who struggle to come to terms with the true 'costs'.
(I recall looking at a Bentley T2 many years ago, at RR franchise dealer, which looked mint for its 13,000 miles yet when I looked at the service books [how we miss those] I realised it was 130,000 miles but its one-owner had returned it to Crewe every 3-months for servicing.)
The fact that Bentley will warrant for x-years, providing it's serviced/checked would infer that they don't see it as a major problem. If it's low mileage, filters aren't really a problem. Brake fluid, 5 years? Not ideal but probably not a major problem if changed. Engine oil? Gearbox fluid?
M-Benz used to insist in a full/complete MB service history as a condtion of a car being retailed as 'approved'. No longer the case. I know of an 8-year old SL bought from main dealer, 6,000 miles but hardly any servicing, if any, and having spent most of its life parked in a garage: they undertook full recommissioning before selling/warranting, all fluids changed, all filters changed, new tyres. I don't think its that unusual when owners have multiple cars, sometimes spread across numerous homes
How long do you intend keeping it? Short-term, it might be an issue on resale for some potential buyers; longer-term it becomes less relevant providing you service it.
What exactly is supposed to have been serviced/changed and what would Bentley undertake to bring service history up to date?
Having said that, if it's a personal concern now, would that thought ever disappear, or would you feel more 'content' waiting for one with history?
It looks as though I may die before finding one with full history!(I recall looking at a Bentley T2 many years ago, at RR franchise dealer, which looked mint for its 13,000 miles yet when I looked at the service books [how we miss those] I realised it was 130,000 miles but its one-owner had returned it to Crewe every 3-months for servicing.)
The fact that Bentley will warrant for x-years, providing it's serviced/checked would infer that they don't see it as a major problem. If it's low mileage, filters aren't really a problem. Brake fluid, 5 years? Not ideal but probably not a major problem if changed. Engine oil? Gearbox fluid?
M-Benz used to insist in a full/complete MB service history as a condtion of a car being retailed as 'approved'. No longer the case. I know of an 8-year old SL bought from main dealer, 6,000 miles but hardly any servicing, if any, and having spent most of its life parked in a garage: they undertook full recommissioning before selling/warranting, all fluids changed, all filters changed, new tyres. I don't think its that unusual when owners have multiple cars, sometimes spread across numerous homes
How long do you intend keeping it? Short-term, it might be an issue on resale for some potential buyers; longer-term it becomes less relevant providing you service it.
What exactly is supposed to have been serviced/changed and what would Bentley undertake to bring service history up to date?
Having said that, if it's a personal concern now, would that thought ever disappear, or would you feel more 'content' waiting for one with history?
Broadly though, if Bentley is happy so am I.
I have to say that in some respects I like how relaxed Bentley is about stuff.
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