1999 Bentley Arnage

With five-figures of expenditure in 2019, ‘T585 VJN’ comes with a full MoT and what might be an interesting start to life as the first service was undertaken by Rolls Royce & Bentley Motor Cars, Press & Special Car Support. 

Since then it’s passed through five pairs of hands, which means it’s probably had five honeymoon periods. The service and maintenance record certainly doesn’t throw up any red flags and the last two MoTs were issued with no advisories.

Finished in Sunset Pearl with an oatmeal and burgundy hide interior, it has yet to pass 44,000 miles either. The owner is, in his own words, “fussy” and his car reflects that.

Mind you, given he’s got another Arnage in his collection of classic cars - and still works six days a week even though he’s in his seventies - it’s no wonder he’s struggling to find time to use this one. 

Still, his loss could be your gain, so every cloud, eh? 

The Sunset Pearl coachwork looks magnificent, doesn’t it? Bentley’s world-famous build quality is probably the first thing you notice thanks to miniscule shutlines and excellent panel alignment.

You’ll also notice the absence of dents, dinks, and other damage. Even the areas that betray a careless driver like the four corners and the door mirrors, are unmarked. Fussy, you see.

Nor will it take you long to appreciate the fantastic shine the Sunset Pearl paintwork has to it. The discerning among you (yes, yes, we know that’s every single one of you) will recognize it’s also a great colour for the model being both regal and sporting and we salute the car’s first owner in choosing it.

The details also stack up. The door shuts are bright and clean. The Arnage’s lamp lenses, badges, and window glass are all good, and what chrome there is, including the magnificent honeycomb radiator grille, is excellent.

The 17-inch alloy wheels, which are in fine fettle and free of scrapes and scuffs, are fitted with a set of the iconic Avon Turbospeed tyres (is a Bentley even a Bentley if it’s not wearing a set of Avon’s finest?) although we see they are old and show signs of that with some cracks between the tread and on the sidewalls. Given the Arnage’s weight and performance, we’d recommend having them replaced.

But age aside, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

As for flaws, there are a few age-related marks here and there, but none are serious enough to either detract from the Bentley’s presence or need attention.

The contrasting hide interior is equally well preserved. And magnificent. Again, we commend whoever chose it because it’s racy without being vulgar, sporting but still luxurious and, of course, every single inch of it was installed with Bentley’s trademark attention to detail.

The front seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated, are only gently creased and still wonderfully comfortable and supportive.

The rear seats, with their massive legroom, are almost unmarked, and the door cards, leather-covered dashboard, and carpets are also in an excellent condition. 

And as for the walnut trim, its vastness is matched only by its condition; while others seem to dot a bit of veneer here and there to distract you from the car’s humble origins, Bentley has gone all out and appears to have built the cabin around a chunk of it.

The seven ivory-faced instruments are as clear as they are beautiful. The chrome controls and switches have real heft to them, and the leather headlining is a work of art.

There is simply no finer place to be.

The boot is very clean, and the extensive carpet even extends to the underside of the boot lid. 

The space also contains the Bentley tool kit, a sealed first aid kit, and the two (new) batteries, both of which are wired for a battery conditioner to keep them topped up when it’s not being driven. 

A set of lambs-wool mats are in there too, should the new owner want to reinstall them for the full-fat, inches-thick flooring experience.

The engine bay is very clean and well presented, with the V8 engine taking pride of place. As you can see, it starts well, rumbling into life with good oil pressure and a healthy charge to the battery.

There’s more than three-quarters of a tank of fuel in it tool, which is worth nothing these days.

As is the exhaust note, which is the automotive equivalent of Tom Hardy playing Reg Kray and whispering in your ear that you should move along now…

The underside looks good too. No MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion but then there is an invoice detailing an underbody Waxoyl treatment in the history file. However, we do note the usual light surface rust on the suspension components.

As for faults, the handbrake warning light and alarm are permanently on, although the brake does release. Our assessor notes that it “drives very well.”

The Arnage’s MoT certificate is valid until the middle of April 2025, and if you’ve been paying attention so far, the advisory-free status of that MoT won’t come as a surprise.

But then it does have a solid service record, even if it is due one now:

• 10.05.1999 and 51 miles – customer assurance check by Rolls Royce & Bentley Motor Cars, Press & Special Car Support
• 05.10.2000 and 8,184 miles – service by JCT600 Leeds
• 19.09.2001 and 11,753 miles – service by JCT600 Leeds
• 07.10.2002 and 14,988 miles – service by JCT600 Leeds
• 11.11.2003 and 17,494 miles – service by JCT600 Leeds
• 20.01.2004 and 17,804 miles – service by P&A Wood
• 27.10.2005 and 22,319 miles – service by P&A Wood
• 15.11.2006 and 26,878 miles – service by P&A Wood
• 24.09.2013 and 37,134 miles – service by P&A Wood
• 23.01.2019 and 38,841 miles – new ECM and immobiliser by Jack Barclay at a cost of £5,065
• 06.03.2019 and 38,862 miles – service by Clark & Carter plus engine and suspension work at a cost of £6,720
• 04.09.2023 and 43,156 miles – new rear suspension spheres and a reconditioned starter motor by Silverlady Brentwood at a cost of £1,381

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear too, and the Arnage comes with three keys, the book pack and wallet, and plenty of old paperwork.

Any Bentley Arnage is a special and magical way to get from A to B but this one, with its low mileage and impressive service history, ticks all the right boxes.

Sure, it needs a service and a set of tyres but the need for these is reflected in the guide price of between £12,000 and £17,000, after which you’ll have a magnificent motor car that’s still got decades of life in it.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.