2005 Bentley CONTINENTAL GT

With an impressively comprehensive full Bentley service history and a fresh set of four matching tyres and new batteries in the TPMS sensors, this imposing Bentley Continental GT was first registered on the 12th of May 2005.

Built by the factory to Mulliner Driving Specification, it features the full package of interior appointments – and the red quilted leather and piano black trim contrast perfectly with the black coachwork, tinted windows, and light lenses.

In the care of the vendor since November 2018, he’s added barely 6,000 miles since buying it. He’s loved every mile, and was constantly impressed with just how fast and powerful it was for such a heavy car, whilst still remaining rather quiet in the cabin behind the double glazed windows. He's now only selling it because it isn’t getting used as much as he thought it would, which means someone’s got the chance to buy a beautifully appointed and maintained Continental GT that looks a million dollars but will cost the same as a mid-spec Ford Focus.

The black coachwork looks stunning – and the smoked rear lights disappear into the surrounding metalwork very effectively, further reinforcing the Continental’s stealthy look. The selling owner has always been complimented on it and describes it as a 'real headturner'.

It’s in great shape too, with very impressive shutlines and panel alignment and a complete absence of dents, dinks and other damage. The paintwork does have the odd stonechip and mark, but fewer than you’d imagine given a decade-and-a-half of use and 66,000 miles under its belt.

The black alloy wheels add to that understated look, and they’ve been refurbished fairly recently at a cost of £400. They’re fitted with four matching Nankang Noble Sport tyres, which were only fitted a year ago so still have plenty of life left in them.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching 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. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Faults? Well, one alloy wheel has been lightly kerbed and is scuffed, there are a few minor chips to the edges of the front doors, and the driver’s door handle is a little worn.

Other than that, all we can see to do is to treat it to a professional polish, which should remove the swirl marks and bring the black coachwork back to life. While this is the most troublesome shade of them all to maintain as it shows every mark, it’s worth it as few colours suit the Continental GT better than this, especially when paired with a red leather interior.

And this red leather interior does look spectacular, especially with the piano black trim; a car like this is all about how it makes you feel, and the interior of this one cossets and excites you like few others this side of a classic Ferrari. Hell, even the headlining is red leather!

The four quilted leather seats are in fine fettle, and if the driver’s seat does have a few creases then the patina only adds to the Bentley’s charms; is there anything more evocative than a high-performance car that has clearly been enjoyed and loved?

The dashboard is simple and elegant, as are the controls and switches on the wide centre console; chrome against a black background is a classic combination and this one’s red framing adds yet another dimension to the sensory overload that is the Mulliner Spec. The Breiting clock is a lovely feature, and tucked behind the wheel are the 'flappy paddles'  - which, the owner informs us, are great when driving in 'Sport' mode. The aftermarket Parrott system for phone calls works perfectly and, although seemingly unused, there is isofix to the rear seats for the kids seats. 

The stitching has been exquisitely executed and the closer you look, the more craftsmanship that went into creating the vehicle reveals itself. Its all in great shape too, and we haven't been made aware of anything that does not work. 

The boot is very clean, and HUGE. It  could easily house two very large suitcases or a set of golf clubs. It has the ski tunnel, too. Home to the space-saver spare wheel, batteries, tool kit, and warning triangle, the floor is solid and free of rust and corrosion. The rubber seal has been nicked in a couple of places but it still appears to be watertight.

Faults? Well, the offside rear window is occasionally reluctant to go back up, which may well be due to the battery being a little low when dropped off to our HQ in Abingdon. The offside bolster on the driver’s seat could be described as a little soft, and there are also a few dimples in the padded leather of the two door cards where a prior owner had closed the doors before the seatbelts had a chance to retract.

Last serviced by Bentley Chelmsford in September 2019 at a cost of £800, its impressively comprehensive, full Bentley service history is recorded thus:

• 13.05.2005 and 38 miles – PDI by Michael Powles Bentley

• 14.06.2005 and 1,407 miles – service by Michael Powles Bentley

• 09.05.2006 and 8,690 miles – service by Michael Powles Bentley

• 17.05.2007 and 16,360 miles – service by Broughton’s of Cheltenham

• 11.06.2008 and 23,139 miles – service by Broughton’s of Cheltenham

• 19.02.2009 and 27,103 miles – service by Bentley Birmingham

• 29.03.2010 and 29,020 miles – service by Broughton’s of Cheltenham

• 08.03.2011 and 32,419 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 06.07.2011 and 34,556 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 01.08.2012 and 42,533 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 06.08.2013 and 46,123 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 30.06.2014 and 48,598 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 25.06.2015 and 50,445 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 02.08.2016 and 52,245 miles – minor service by Bentley

• 06.09.2017 and 54,965 miles – service by Bentley Manchester

• 27.09.2019 and 64,538 miles – minor service by Bentley Chelmsford

The Bentley’s MOT certificate is valid until November 2020. It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus some invoices to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years (see Comments below).

It’s running well and drives as it should. Please see the video to see and hear it start up, tick over, and rev. Be warned though: it sounds like Joanna Lumley whispering in your ear from the cabin but Brian Blessed bellowing for another pint at the exhaust – and that’s a hugely seductive combination…

The TPMS light is on intermittently. The owner has recently stumped up £1,000 to fit four new batteries and the car just need programming to accept them. It doesn’t affect the way the car drives, but the new owner could fix it easily enough at the next service.

The first thing you notice in the engine bay, other than how clean it is, are the legends ‘Bentley’ and Twin Turbo”. But then other, more subtle things catch your eye like the beautifully detailed alloy oil filler cap, something you will never get tired of looking at and holding.

It also still has its original owner’s handbook, fully stamped service history, book pack, and storage wallet plus two sets of keys.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

We’re willing to bet that almost every last one of you has considered buying an early Bentley Continental GT. The combination of other-worldly luxury in a package that is as sure-footed and fleet-of-foot as an intercontinental ballistic missile has even the most hard-hearted of drivers scouring the classifieds.

And yet few of us are daft enough to actually follow through, prudence and cowardice conspiring to steer us towards that mid-market Ford Focus because that’s the sensible solution.

But, sensible be damned because here is a Bentley Continental GT that appeals to the head AND the heart: It looks bloody magnificent, has an interior to die for, and has a nigh-on impeccable service history.

And how much is this 12-cylindered slice of fried gold going to set you back?

Well, our best guess is somewhere towards the second half of our £18,000 - £25,000 estimate, at which point you will have won at life.

And, following the recent softening of the classic car market, prices must surely have bottomed, so you might even break even with a following wind.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.