Whilst all of us love to look a automotive that’s been obsessively cared for by means of a doting proprietor, it does have a tendency to be the similar form of automobile that will get that type of remedy. Discover a hand-written log of gasoline intake or identical and it has a tendency to be the carrier historical past of an outdated British sports activities automotive or saloon. We’re generalising, after all – a lot of people love loads of other automobiles – however the level is the Bentley Continental GT isn’t essentially one you’d have on the best of an inventory of superbly maintained trendy classics. 

Everyone knows why, after all. For many who cherished outdated Bentleys, the Conti was once too new college and too VW-influenced to be correct, and their really extensive contingency fund would cross on one thing with a 6.75 V8. And lots of who purchased them new would have moved onto one thing else inside a couple of years; Bentley offered such a lot of unique GTs that they quickly were given reasonable. And, neatly, we’ve all noticed what has a tendency to occur with reasonable luxurious automobiles, the place folks try to run them on the cheap have compatibility for the acquisition worth – and no longer the unique RRP. It has a tendency to finish disastrously. 

You’ve most certainly taken one have a look at this 2005 GT and reached a conclusion already. Non-public plate, a lot of miles (184k), resale gray, a sub-£15k ticket – steer clear of in any respect prices, proper? Alternatively, right here’s a lesson right here, undoubtedly, in no longer judging a e book by means of its duvet. As a result of no longer best has this Bentley no longer had an MOT fail since April 2017 (six thousand miles in the past), its carrier historical past comprises 38 primary broker visits. 38! At Bentley! Discuss willpower, and expense. The ad suggests there’s greater than 100 invoices with the automobile to report the paintings undertaken, together with rather fresh paintings to the gearbox, brakes and suspension. 

The laudable (and probably ruinous) strategy to holding a Bentley at the street is no less than mirrored within the situation of this one. We’ve all noticed a number of Conti GTs during the last two decades, and plenty of have been in a lot worse situation than this – that did not have greater than 180k on them. The bolster put on at the seat isn’t that unhealthy in any respect, the wheels glance good and the paint turns out in nice situation. It’s a well-recognized cliche, certain, although this may maximum indisputably cross for a far decrease mileage instance. 

Now, after all, to stay a Bentley of this calibre having a look this excellent goes to require a in a similar fashion methodical means. It’s no longer just like the diligence of 1 proprietor buys the following a few years of slacking off (although a Bentley specialist, moderately than a chief broker, is most certainly alright any longer). Bentley expenses keep giant regardless of the worth of the automobile, and whilst not unusual faults were addressed already that isn’t to mention a pair extra gained’t rear their heads. And it’d be affordable to mention some people would possibly no longer wish to spend that cash on a automotive with such a lot of miles. 

That being mentioned, it’s laborious to not be just a bit bit curious in regards to the Bentley with virtually as many primary broker visits because it has valves. Many decrease mileage ones gained’t were so spoilt. Any person has cherished this outdated factor lately, and it’s undoubtedly were given some lifestyles left to guide with in a similar fashion conscientious maintenance. There’s even a contemporary MOT happening it, to avoid wasting angst. And it’s £13,995 sooner than any negotiation. Then, sooner than you comprehend it, the 200,000-mile W12 Bentley can be at the pressure. Which is a tale to inform, if not anything else.