1994 Bentley Turbo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 335 MOT tests, the 1994 Bentley Turbo recorded an 85.4% pass rate. That is 9.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.8%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.6%) and lighting & signalling (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), washers and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 24 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.6% in the 60-90k band and 9.4% in the 120-150k band, a 7.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 19.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.6% | 32 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 25 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 20 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 16 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 24 |
| 2 | Washers | 12 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 11 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 10 |
| 6 | Wipers | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.1% | 64 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 61 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.1% | 54 |
| 4 | Tyres | 10.8% | 36 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.4% | 28 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 163 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 87 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 9.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 74 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 67 | 13.4% |
| 2024 | 62 | 16.1% |
| 2025 | 67 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 1994 Turbo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 9.6% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (9.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1994 Bentley Turbos pass their MOT?
85.4% of the 335 1994 Bentley Turbo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Bentley Turbo?
Brakes, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.5%).
Does the 1994 Turbo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.6% in the 60-90k band to 9.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 335 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.