2002 Bentley Arnage Red Label

The vendor bought the car from esteemed dealers Southams/The Classic Car Warehouse (who had previously twice sold the car on behalf of former owners) in October 2022.

Like his predecessors, he bought the car because of its virtually time-warp condition and low mileage.

When he bought the car, the odometer was showing just 42,000 miles.

Today, that number has increased by only 3,842 miles.

So, what’s happened to this car since 2022?

Well, its life-long history of no-expense-spared servicing, repair and maintenance has continued uninterrupted and the car is, by any measure worth considering, in very fine condition.

We have driven the car and can attest to its performance, comfort and capability.

The car starts on the button, builds speed like a recently jilted bull and hurtles towards the far horizon on great tidal waves of power and torque.

If you are demure and a little shy with your right foot, the car wafts along in near silence, seemingly borne aloft on clouds of cotton wool.

Flex your ankle, however, and it sets off with all the fury and momentum of the Flying Scotsman.

It is a delightful and very Bentley combination of Jekyll and Hyde character traits.

The only minor things we noticed were a little brake judder and a slight tendency to pull to one side under braking.

The car presents exceptionally well from every angle and is reassuringly free of any dents or dinks worthy of mention, save for one barely discernible shallow dink on the front passenger door.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are excellent and the doors close with all the weight, precision and gravitas you’re entitled to expect of a vehicle of such distinction (and cost).

The ‘Verdant Green’ paint has held up very well and the finish gleams, dazzles and pops in the sunshine.

Even entirely standard light, swirly scratches are in remarkably short supply. If you pressed us to offer an opinion, we’d probably say that this car has never been subjected to the sometimes cruel brushes of a commercial car-wash facility.

Stone chips, scuffs and other ‘normal’ aberrations are all more notable for their absence than their presence.

The wheels are in broadly very fine condition, bar a few minor scuffs on the o/s/r and n/s/f.

We noted from the history that someone has gone to the trouble of replacing the centre badges, which is precisely the sort of diligent curation and attention to detail that we like to see.

The chrome-work is untroubled by any foxing, pitting or tarnishing that we can detect.

We spotted a couple of small scratches at the bottom of the boot lid.

All lights, lenses, trim, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings appear to be in very fine fettle.

The Daily Telegraph motoring column had the following to say of the interior of the Arnage. “The cabin is the apotheosis of wood-and-leather luxury and it coddles the occupants like no other car. The rear seats are beyond comfortable, they are an occasion. Just sitting in front of the exquisite dashboard and seeing the tiny instrument needles creep past Eric Gill’s locomotive typeface – there isn’t a cheap way into this sort of hedonism, other cars simply don’t have these things.”

You won’t be remotely surprised to learn that the interior of this low-mileage, assiduously curated Arnage is every bit as impressive as its exterior counterpart.

The oatmeal hide (piped green), green top-roll, oatmeal knee-roll and green carpets and over mats, are all in exceptionally well-preserved condition.

Even though the upholstery is in what looks to us to be first-class order, the vendor tells us that he will have the seats re-Connollised before the car goes to its next home.

This car has some impressive ambient lighting tricks up its distinctly noble and refined sleeve.

Open any door and a pool of light is projected onto the pavement below. We can see from the faint outline projected by the light under the n/s/r door that the image is intended to be the Bentley logo. We think replacement lenses or some similarly quick and easy fix would restore these lights to their full and really rather impressive functionality and effect.

With the doors open, you’ll see that the rear cabin is illuminated at floor level by a green-hued light that complements the colour palette in the carpets, mats and piping.

The seats, front and back (all seats can be electrically reclined/inclined), have yet to earn more than a light crease here and there, let alone any ingrained patina of the kind you might expect to find in a car that’s nearly 23 years old.

The headlining is pretty much immaculate as are the car’s door cards, carpets and mats.

The wood veneers on the dashboard, centre console, and rear door cappings are rich and glossy. There are some splits to the lacquer on the front door cappings.

All controls, dials, instruments, buttons, switches and knobs are in fine fettle and, as far as we’re aware, everything does what it’s supposed to do without delay or complaint.

The boot is following the same script in terms of quality and condition. Inside you’ll find a spare wheel, still wearing its protective, elasticated cover. You’ll also find a user manual and two Bentley umbrellas – there’s that fastidious curation and attention to detail again.

The (very full) engine bay is clean, dry and remarkably fresh-looking even for the car’s low mileage, let alone its age.

The car’s undersides look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and there’s nothing to raise a frown or prompt a tut anywhere that we can see.

We know that the car received new discs and pads all-round in 2021, and has had new rear gas spheres, new batteries, new struts for the boot lid and an air-con re-gas in recent times. The head gaskets were replaced in 2018.

The car’s history is fully documented and beyond reproach. The service book is bristling with timely, main dealer stamps up to 34,374 miles, after which it’s been serviced by a succession of respected marque specialists.

The most recent service was carried out in September 2024.

There are numerous invoices, bills and receipts covering work carried out as and when necessary over the years.

The car comes with a full set of keys, books and manuals, a recent, clear HPI report, and it has an MoT certificate that’s valid until 25.9.25.

Psychiatrists’ chaise-longues up and down the country regularly play host to haunted and broken-looking individuals staring blankly into the middle distance.

More often than not, these are people who have bought a ‘cheap’ Bentley only to find that it steals their wallet, beats them up and makes them homeless within 6 months.

Either way, and as ever, it’s a case of caveat emptor.

Well, we don’t think that the next buyer of this splendid Bentley Arnage Red Label needs to beware of anything except envious looks from people who were too slow to bid on the car.

For us, this hugely capable hand-built bruiser/cruiser ticks all the right boxes for quality, condition and history, and is a delight to behold and to drive.

We think it’s really very good indeed.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £16,000 - £20,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.