1995 Bentley Brooklands

‘A4 CEW’ has been in the seller’s care for the past twenty years, which speaks volumes about his respect and admiration for it. Used as his daily driver, it took him to work in the most stylish way possible and racked up 17 advisory-free MoTs since 2006, including the current one.

But these things don’t happen by chance; no matter how well engineered a car is – and the Brooklands is VERY well engineered – you need to look after ‘em if they’re to flourish.

But then the owner is a member of the RREC and has taken care to service it in line with Bentley’s recommendations. Its last was in March 2027 and the only reason he’s selling it is because he’s now retired and no longer needs the Bentley’s long-distance chops and dependability.

Said to drive “flawlessly”, it is being offered with a modest estimate and no reserve, so it’ll be gaining a new name on the V5C once the first bid has been placed.

After 31 years and 138,000 miles, the Bentley’s coachwork still sports good shutlines and neat panel alignment, and no obvious dents, dinks, or ripples to the main panels.

The Peacock Blue paintwork, paint code 9540002, reminds us what a lovely shade this is; contemporary yet timeless, it’s always a joy to see one in the wild.

The chromework is in good shape with only moderate tarnishing. The badges have developed a patina, but a car like this carries a bit of character more lightly than most.

The lamp lenses, including the imposing quadruple Hella headlamps that sit inside body-coloured mounts, are in fine fettle with no chips, cracks or other damage spoiling either their output or their appearance.

A couple of the 16-inch alloy wheels have light scuffs, and alloy corrosion has started to lift their finish. However, by way of compensation, they are fitted with a matching set of 255/70R16 Uniroyal Rain Expert 3 tyres; made in 2022, all have good tread left on them.

We will never get tired of telling you that 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 blemishes and flaws, the Bentley’s has myriad chips, scratches, areas of fading, and even some rust. The latter is most obvious under the nearside headlamp, around the bottom of the rear window, the boot lid, both offside doors, the bottom of the nearside front wing, and all four wheelarches, with the offside front being especially bad.

The nearside sill is also dented, the boot lid is scratched, the side window rubbers have perished, and the paint on the driver’s door has a rough finish and is a slightly different shade of blue to the rest.

The Parchment hide (trim code A3672) is piped in Royal Blue (trim code A4312) and the interior also features a set of Dark Blue carpets and burr walnut trim.

There are lashing of chrome too, plus a huge specification that includes split-level climate control, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, remote central locking that includes an alarm and an immobiliser, and electric windows and mirrors.

Everything we tested works, which isn’t a surprise given the service history we’ll talk about later, and it presents very well indeed; while the exterior might be starting to show its age, the interior is every bit as glorious now as it’s ever been.

The driver’s seat, usually the first place to show its age, is still plump and supportive. The soft hide that covers it is troubled by nothing more intrusive than light creasing; with no holes, rips, loose seams, or damage to the contrasting blue piping, the quality of workmanship is evident, even now.

Driver interfaces like the wood ‘n’ leather steering wheel, gearshift, pedals, and major controls and switches are all notable for their excellent condition, and it’s worth reminding you that few modern classics are as satisfyingly tactile to operate as a Bentley.

The rest of the leather-covered seats are in an even better condition, and the matching door cards have all aged so well we’re expecting calls from Hollywood plastic surgeons asking what their secret is.

The burr walnut veneer defies the passage of time with the same consummate ease. Most of it is free of chips, cracks, or lifting varnish, and it provides a suitably regal backdrop for the hefty chrome controls that litter the cabin.

The blue carpet is in an excellent condition too, including the vulnerable heel protector.

Those in the rear benefit from walnut-framed mirrors and leather handholds in addition to above-average legroom. All benefit from a clean, taut, and undamaged Magnolia leather headlining.

The boot is as well-trimmed as everywhere else, with an astonishing attention to detail: Admire, for example, the battery cut-off switch, which is a piece of art all by itself, and the elasticated spare wheel cover, which is still taut.

There’s also a high-quality tool kit plus a hazard warning triangle and a set of bulbs; Bentley drivers may have beautifully manicured hands, but they aren’t above getting them dirty in the unlikely event that a problem arises.

The boot is also vast and lifting out the full-size spare wheel suggests it’s also solid.

Flaws are remarkably few. The blue piping on the front armrests has lost some of its colour, the wooden trim on the top of the driver’s door is starting to lose its varnish, and the stitching on the central front armrest has started to loosen.

As you can see, it starts well from cold and shows good oil pressure and a healthy charge to the battery. It idles smoothly too, and revs cleanly.

Some of you may be wondering about that batch of dodgy head gaskets the Internet’s been gossiping about. Well, the seller was unlucky enough to have had one fitted – but then Bentley stepped in and did the decent thing and replaced it free of charge.

You probably shouldn’t be too worried about the mileage, either; few things kill a car faster than inactivity, and we’d always rather see a higher-mileage example that’s been maintained properly like this than a low-mileage garage queen that leaks fluids thanks to brittle rubber seals and the like.

And this Brooklands has been very well looked after: “If something needed doing, I did it,” he told us before going on to say how pleased he is with Ghost Motors, his local independent Bentley specialist: “They’re a good outfit”, he said, with admirable English restraint.

The Bentley’s service history booklet is stamped as follows:

· 06.03.1996 and 2,273 miles – service by Evans Halshaw

· 13.08.1996 and 3,703 miles – service by Evans Halshaw

· 09.03.1998 and 9,997 miles – service by Broughtons of Birmingham

· 14.09.1998 and 16,130 miles – service by Broughtons of Birmingham

· 04.03.1999 and 19,229 miles – service by Broughtons of Birmingham

· 07.10.1999 and 29,946 miles – service by Broughtons of Birmingham

· 06.07.2000 and 34,475 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 29.01.2001 and 38,880 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 31.08.2001 and 42,241 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 28.03.2002 and 45,122 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 27.11.2002 and 48,359 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 23.10.2004 and 52,691 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 24.06.2005 and 56,531 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 11.08.2006 and 63,837 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 08.02.2007 and 68,337 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 08.08.2007 and 71,651 miles – service by Hanwell Car Centre

· 06.03.2008 and 75,651 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 06.10.2008 and 78,982 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

Having filled the first one, we now move onto the Continuation Book:

· 09.11.2009 and 85,481 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 15.04.2010 and 87,577 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 24.02.2011 and 91,690 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 16.01.2012 and 96,237 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 13.08.2012 and 99,760 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 04.03.2013 and 102,041 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 13.09.2013 and 103,520 miles – service by Centurion Motor Company

· 27.08.2014 and 107,033 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 25.08.2015 and 111,925 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 29.04.2016 and 115,432 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 16.03.2017 and 119,540 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 21.03.2018 and 123,533 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 21.01.2019 and 127,340 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 10.03.2020 and 131,775 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 08.04.2021 and 132,990 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 29.03.2022 and 133,964 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 29.01.2024 and 135,148 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 25.03.2025 and 136,911 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

· 25.03.2026 and 137,969 miles – service by Ghost Motors Kent

Thirty-seven stamps using only main agents or independent specialists is quite the record, isn’t it?

There are some big bills in there too, including £2,271.36 for the last service. However, this did include fitting new front and rear brake pads, replacing two interior light switches, and having the air-conditioning system recharged: We think the best cars come from the best people, and anyone who’s happy to pay 25% of the lower end of the guide price to service their car before selling it is very definitely a good person.

The underseal has failed in places, and rust has started on some of the edges. However, it looks far better than we were expecting, and further reassurance comes with the fact that the Bentley’s current MoT certificate was issued with no advisories, something it’s achieved on no fewer than 16 previous occasions, including the last three.

It’s valid until the end of March 2027, and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

The history file includes the remote locking key, the Bentley wallet and book pack, the stamped service history booklet, expired MoT certificates, and invoices for servicing and repairs going back to 2007.

Yes, the bodywork is a bit tatty, and yes it will continue to deteriorate without prompt intervention, but the mechanical components and interior are both in very good health and the last three MoT passes have been clear, so it may be that the corrosion is merely a cosmetic issue for now.

An ideal candidate for a “I Bought the Cheapest Bentley Brooklands in the UK” YouTube series, our guide price is between £8,000 and £12,000.

However, the seller is also offering it with no reserve in order to give it the best possible chance of finding someone with the time, space, and talent to resurrect the bodywork in the hope they’ll be able to continue to enjoy that fastidiously maintained engine and chassis.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) 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’.