Expert Buyer

This über-coupé is surprisingly affordable to buy – but repairing one’s a different matter

Bentley Continental GT

PROJECT

LOOK FOR DAMP

Any moisture in the passenger footwell, where many of the electronics are housed, spells big trouble and bigger bills.

IS IT WORTH IT?

Unless you’re only dealing with a few fixable issues, costs will easily outweigh the car’s value.

ARE YOU MAD...

…or do you really know what you’re doing and have a wellequipped workshop, proper tools and huge budget?

USABLE

WHO’S SELLING IT?

Does the seller think of it as a bona fide modern classic or just an outdated old car? If the latter is the case, he or she is more likely to accept a slightly cheeky offer.

ASK ABOUT TLC

Renewing spark plugs (every four years maximum) on the complex W12 is is awkward and sometimes put off as a result. Scrutinise the history.

CHECK ITS BRAKES

Haggle hard if the brakes are old because their size makes replacements costly. Steel discs are nearly £1k a set, ceramics are nearer – cough – £10k…

GOOD

IS IT TWEAKED?

Small modifications are fairly common but completely unnecessary. Avoid unless there is a respected name behind them.

LISTEN FOR NOISES

Values probably haven’t yet bottomed out so the gulf between lovely and average cars could widen still further.

IS IT FLAWLESS?

Most issues are horribly costly (heated windscreens are about £2k) so the list of flaws needs to be very small.

CONCOURS

BEST OF THE BEST

Top-money cars need to be in immaculate condition, have always been garaged and no more than 30k miles on the odometer.

HISTORY IS VITAL

A blue-chip history from main dealers and Bentley specialists should be a given. Most cars in this price bracket do have this – walk away if not.

KNOW THE RANGE

Convertible GTCs command a premium, as do special editions (GTC Supersports easily hit £70k). These latter must be genuine, however, not modified standard cars.