Bentley Maintenance Guide

In this Bentley maintenance guide, we’ve leveraged our luxury car know-how. All to help you maintain the pristine condition and optimal performance of your Bentley. Whether you’ve driven one mile or ten thousand, this page will tell you everything about how to keep your beautiful car running safely and smoothly.

And don’t worry, there’s something in this guide for everyone, including drivers of the Bentley Bentayga, Mulsanne and Continental GT models.

Let’s get started…

How often should you service your Bentley?

We recommend scheduling maintenance for your Bentley every 12 months, or every 10,000 miles – whichever comes first. If you’re unlikely to reach that many miles within a year, you can simply stick to a specific month for your annual service.

Bentley maintenance schedule

In this part of our Bentley maintenance guide, we’ll break down the servicing milestones to help you understand when to get your car serviced, and what you can expect to get fixed or replaced.

Every 10,000 Miles or 12 Months

Whether you drive your Bentley every day, or save it for those special occasions, it’s vital to change the oil and rotate the tires annually or every 10,000 miles. A quick tip: depending on your driving habits, consider exploring different Bentley tire options to increase longevity and reliability.

You should replace:

• Motor oil
• Oil filter
• Sump plug and washer
• Tires

You should check:

• Tire pressure sensors
• Coolant levels
• Battery condition
• Power steering system and fluid
• Air suspension
• Tire tread and condition
• Lights and horns
• Washer jet aim
• Windshield wipers

During oil changes or tire inspections, you’ll also get a thorough multi-point check to ensure all your Bentley components are in optimal condition, which usually includes inspecting brake pads, rotors, topping off fluids, and replacing necessary filters.

20,000 Miles or 24 Months

At the 20,000-mile or 24-month mark, your Bentley technicians will examine the exhaust system for leaks or damage, as well as the steering gear, linkage, axle, and suspension parts. 

Your bi-annual Bentley maintenance appointment will include all the previously mentioned checks and replacements, plus these recommendations:

You should replace:

• Brake fluid
• Engine air filter
• Wiper blades
• Pollen filter

You should check or replace:

• Spark plugs
• Brake hoses

30,000 Miles or 36 Months

When you reach 30,000 miles or three years, you’ll get the following checks and replacements in addition to the standard 10,000-mile or 12-month maintenance. 

You should check:

• Brake pads and brake rotors
• In-cabin air filter

You should replace:

• Engine air and oil filters
• Tires
• Bentley Smart Key battery

Bentley maintenance at 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 Miles

When it comes to Bentley Continental maintenance, or any Bentley for that matter, you’ll need specific checks every 30, 60, and 90,000 miles. That includes:

• Replace engine oil, filter, and gasket
• Top off all fluid levels
• Perform fuel service
• Inspect and clean battery terminals and cables
• Adjust drive belt tension
• Test alternator operation
• Conduct cooling system flush service
• Check tire tread depth, inspect for wear, and set tire pressure
• Examine front and rear brakes for wear
• Rotate tires and balance all four wheels
• Carry out computerized diagnostic service
• Check exterior lights for proper operation
• Perform plenum panel check and clean

60,000 Miles or 5-7 Years

At 60,000 miles, or when your Bentley is 5 to 7 years old, you’ll want to carry out these checks and replacements on top of the usual annual service requirements:

You should check:

• Bonnet, boot and door struts
• Clutch components

You should replace:

• Spark plugs
• Coil packs

What’s the maintenance cost for a Bentley Continental GT?

On average, the annual maintenance for a Bentley will cost about £1,500 to £2,000+ per year. That may seem like a hefty sum, but it’s a worthwhile investment to keep your beautiful Bentley running smoothly and safely. After all, luxury cars come with luxury-level maintenance costs.

This estimate is based on the essential services that you should carry out annually or every 10,000 miles. Of course, the price you pay will differ from the next Bentley driver – the yearly expenses may vary between £750 and over £7,500, depending on factors such as your driving frequency, the age of your car, and any necessary repairs.

If your Bentley has relatively high mileage, there’s a likelihood that you’ll need to carry out more repairs compared to a newer Bentley. This will obviously increase the maintenance costs for a Bentley Continental GT and other models.

Bentley GT fuel and tax costs

According to reports, the Bentley Continental 4.0 V8 model achieves an average fuel consumption of 26.7 mpg (miles per gallon), while the 6.0 W12 model claims 23.2 mpg in some versions, and 19.9 mpg in others. In real-world driving conditions, expect even lower figures.

Regarding road tax, it will be notably high – regardless of registration date. Those registered after the April 2017 tax changes will pay a flat rate of £180 annually, while a luxury car tax of £390 per year applies from the second to sixth year.

As with any luxury car – whether it’s a Bentley, Ferrari or Maserati – insurance groups for these vehicles are also in the highest brackets, so you should expect to pay relatively high fees for owning and running a Bentley Continental GT.

Bentley maintenance for the interior

To maintain your Bentley interior, we recommend regular cleaning using approved leather care products. To keep your cabin comfy and looking great, you should vacuum carpets and upholstery, and wipe down surfaces with a soft, damp cloth. Always avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.

For wood veneer, use a clean, soft cloth and approved cleaner, then inspect and replace worn floor mats as needed. It’s always a good idea to store your Bentley in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent moisture damage – ideally a private garage.

Bentley maintenance for the exterior

For the exterior of your Bentley, we recommend regularly washing the car using a gentle car shampoo and a soft sponge or cloth. Also, rinse thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. That’ll keep your Bentley looking as fresh as when you first picked it up.

Again, avoid using abrasive materials or high-pressure washers, and apply a quality car wax to protect the paintwork (you don’t want any scuffs on that beautiful paint!). Each year, you should clean and lubricate the door and bonnet hinges, and inspect for stone chips or scratches and touch up as needed. 

For all other types of exterior maintenance, simply carry out the recommended checks and repairs we mentioned above in this Bentley maintenance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to warm up the engine before driving?

Yes — but gently. Idle for 30–60 seconds, then drive softly for the first 5–10 minutes until oil and coolant reach operating temperature. Avoid revving a cold W12 or V8 above 3,000 rpm.

2. Is it worth using official Bentley service centres, or will a good independent garage suffice?

For warranty work, software updates, and complex W12/V8 jobs — stick with Bentley. For routine servicing on out-of-warranty cars, a reputable VAG/Bentley specialist can save you 30–50% with comparable quality.

3. What’s the single most expensive thing to neglect?

The coil packs and spark plugs on the W12. Skipping the 40,000-mile change can cause misfires and catalytic converter damage — turning a £1,500 job into a £6,000+ repair.

4. Should I keep the car on a trickle charger if I don’t drive it weekly?

Absolutely. Modern Bentleys have heavy parasitic draw from infotainment and comfort modules. A CTEK MXS 5.0 or Bentley-branded conditioner prevents flat batteries and module faults.

5. Are the 21″+ wheels worth keeping, or should I downsize for daily use?

For daily comfort and tyre longevity, swap to 20″ or 21″ wheels with higher-profile tyres in winter. You’ll save a fortune on kerbed rims, blown tyres, and air suspension wear.

6. What’s the best way to protect the leather and veneer interior?

Condition the leather every 3–6 months with a pH-neutral product (Gliptone or Furniture Clinic), and keep the car out of direct sunlight. Never use silicone-based sprays on the wood veneers — they cloud the lacquer permanently.

Scuderia Car Parts Team.