Generation-specific owner insights from 45+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?7
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2005–2013
6
recall campaigns
structure
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for this generation is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and prior maintenance.
21 problems reported (4 very frequent, 9 recurrent, 8 isolated) · high confidence
Owners describe this as an almost guaranteed failure on early cars, with one owner bypassing the system with inexpensive tubing and clamps instead of paying for the engine-out repair.
Reported across multiple cars, with costs cited from roughly $12k per axle up to $15-20k, and cold-weather sagging described as normal behavior for the air system.
Owners repeatedly note that many small components require separating the engine from the car, making labor the dominant cost.
Figures cited range from $2,500-$3,000 per year on the low end to $7,000-$8,000 per year on average, with individual years exceeding $10k.
Reported by several owners, with aftermarket upholstery recommended over dealer replacement.
Owners cite roughly $10k for replacement, with one report of a top motor failure requiring a new top at a far higher cost.
Described as a common failure requiring front-end disassembly.
Figures cited include $6k for pads and up to $28k for a full brake and rotor job on certain versions.
Cited as a known issue with costs around $15k, with one owner raising a possible oil strainer cause and asking whether a recall was ever issued.
Mentioned by multiple owners as an expected wear item.
Reported at low mileage by more than one owner.
Reported as leaking vacuum lines in the steering rack area and as general steering problems.
One owner cites a $3,000 repair for a window motor.
One owner cites a $3,000 repair.
One owner lists it among expected items to budget for.
One owner reports a $15k quoted cost.
One owner reports a new engine at 50k miles, possibly related to E85 use.
One owner reports a leaking radiator.
Reported by one owner alongside emissions-related sensor replacement.
One owner cites a $1,800 repair.
One owner describes restoration as an absolute nightmare with $40k spent and the car still not in proper working order.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors later first-generation cars over earlier ones: multiple owners state that later Gen 1 models need fewer engine-out repairs and are "known to be more reliable" than the 2005-2009 cars, and one owner specifically says they "stayed away from the C model." The 2010 GT Supersports and 2013 GT Speed both receive positive ownership reports, though the Speed also appears in a report of a new engine at 50k miles. One owner advises avoiding the W12 entirely in favor of the V8, but this is a single data point.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (W204), Mercedes-Benz G63 and Porsche Cayman.
Is a 2005–2013 Continental right for you?
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Owner sentiment for this generation is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and prior maintenance. A vocal group of long-term owners reports years of trouble-free driving with only routine servicing, while an equally vocal group describes catastrophic repair bills, engine-out service procedures, and cars that become financial write-offs once major systems fail. The most consistent praise centers on the W12's power, the interior quality, and the car's character as a comfortable grand tourer. The most consistent criticism is cost of ownership relative to resale value, with the early cars (roughly 2005-2009) drawing the harshest warnings and later cars (2010+) generally described as more reliable.
Owners position this generation as a "personal luxury" grand tourer rather than a corner-carving sports car, with one owner explicitly comparing it to the big American personal luxury coupes of the 1960s and 1970s and calling it the closest modern equivalent. Against Porsches, owners describe the Bentley as more distinctive and comfortable but far more expensive and risky to run, with several recommending a Cayman, Boxster, or Panamera instead for anyone prioritizing reliability or low depreciation. Against AMG Mercedes models, owners frame the Bentley as the more special and attention-grabbing car but the worse financial decision, with multiple owners steering shoppers toward an E55 or C63 for "fun without ridiculous maintenance." Against the Lexus LS430, owners describe the Lexus as the closest ride but far cheaper to own. The recurring framing is that this generation offers prestige and presence at a fraction of its original price, but that the running costs never depreciate with the car.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signals: one owner recommends only the V8 version and explicitly says to avoid the W12; another owner recommends a full pre-purchase inspection at a Bentley dealer, buying only with full service records, garage-kept history, and low miles, and having all non-key work done at an independent specialist rather than a dealer. One owner advises buying the coupe rather than the convertible specifically to avoid soft-top replacement costs.
Owners consistently advise that this generation should only be bought by someone who can absorb large unexpected repair bills, with several stating that if repair costs are a consideration at all, the buyer should pass. The most repeated advice is to buy only with complete service records, low mileage, and garage-kept history, and to walk away from cars without documentation because deferred maintenance lands on the next owner. A dealer pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended, but owners warn not to have the resulting work performed at the dealer, since independent high-end shops can be a fraction of the cost. Owners recommend budgeting several thousand dollars per year for maintenance and keeping a substantial reserve for major failures. Multiple owners advise having a second, more reliable vehicle rather than relying on this generation as an only car. Owners who want the experience without the risk are repeatedly told to lease a newer model instead. Several owners recommend avoiding cars that have sat undriven for long periods, noting that low mileage on an old example can mean more problems, not fewer.
A recurring theme in owner discussions is frustration with the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" response, with several owners arguing that this attitude suppresses useful cost information and that wealthy owners still work to budgets. Owners note that many parts are shared Volkswagen, Bosch, or Continental components and can be sourced far cheaper than Bentley-branded equivalents, and that used control modules, switches, and buttons are inexpensive from breakers. One owner reports 155k miles of trouble-free use, and another reports nearly 200k kilometers with only moderate issues, while a third reports three of these cars as "pretty reliable." Owners repeatedly note that the closest Bentley dealership may be over 100 miles away, which is itself a reason some shoppers pass. One owner who worked as an engineer on the sunroof system describes a cancelled solar-panel trickle-charge roof design for this generation. Owners also discuss that this generation uses two batteries of different sizes, requiring attention when choosing a trickle charger, and that the official Bentley charger is a rebranded unit available cheaper elsewhere. A significant number of discussions concern heavily customized or salvage-title examples, with owners warning that neglected interiors, sagging headliners, and failing door card adhesive signal broader deferred maintenance. Analysis based on approximately 45 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | structure |
| 2007 | 2 | 2 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2006 | 3 | 2 | unknown or other |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2009 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotorcampaign 13V484000
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur vehicles, manufactured from July 2006 through June 2010 and equipped with carbon ceramic brake discs. In the affected vehicles, the stainless steel screws that secure the brake rotors may fail after being exposed to salty conditions.
2007 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotorcampaign 13V484000
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur vehicles, manufactured from July 2006 through June 2010 and equipped with carbon ceramic brake discs. In the affected vehicles, the stainless steel screws that secure the brake rotors may fail after being exposed to salty conditions.
2007 · fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection systemcampaign 08V217000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 13,420 MY 2004-2008 CONTINENTAL GT, CONTINENTAL GT SPEED, CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, AND CONTINENTAL GTC VEHICLES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD SALT TO CORRODE THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FILTER HOUSING BECOMING POROUS WITH A CORRESPONDING FUEL LEAK.
2006 · air bagscampaign 08V072000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 4 MY 2004 AND 2006 CONTINENTAL GT AND CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG TRIMMED COVERS HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH TETHERS OF AN INCORRECT LENGTH.
2006 · fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection systemcampaign 08V217000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 13,420 MY 2004-2008 CONTINENTAL GT, CONTINENTAL GT SPEED, CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, AND CONTINENTAL GTC VEHICLES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD SALT TO CORRODE THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FILTER HOUSING BECOMING POROUS WITH A CORRESPONDING FUEL LEAK.
2005 · fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection systemcampaign 08V217000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 13,420 MY 2004-2008 CONTINENTAL GT, CONTINENTAL GT SPEED, CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, AND CONTINENTAL GTC VEHICLES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD SALT TO CORRODE THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FILTER HOUSING BECOMING POROUS WITH A CORRESPONDING FUEL LEAK.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.