2005 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner W12

This three-owner Bentley Continental GT is a later Mulliner Driving Specification example. These more lavish versions of the first-generation Continental GT came out in 2005 with a host of interior and exterior additions, making the already smart GT a tad more bespoke. Mulliner customers could choose new interior trim options (Magnolia hide & plush carpets) colour-coded seat belts, drilled metal sports pedals and foot rest, knurled chrome and leather gearstick, two-tone leather with burl walnut veneer, plus diamond-quilted hide and embroidered Bentley badges on the seats.

Finally, to let others know that you’d pushed the boat out, there was a spanking new set of two-piece, 7-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels and bespoke Yokohama Advan tyres – the latter have been swapped for Pirellis in this instance.

With a detailed service history, showing annual visits to Bentley Kent, and documentation charting on-going specialist care from Phantom Motor Cars since 2017, it seems easy to recommend this GT. It certainly seems to be a cut above the myriad of average examples out there.

There’s a lovely mirror-like finish to the paint on this GT. It’s the dark-blue hue (Dark Sapphire Blue we suspect) that does those wonderfully sculpted lines justice. The silhouette is just the right mix of retro and contemporary, it’s little surprise that its replacement looked so similar (though not quite as good we’d argue). This GT seems to make an excellent account of itself with only a small smattering of very mild stone chips up front worthy of note. All glass and chrome also still look shiny and clear, respectively.

We can’t remember (or Google) whether the Continental GT centre caps on the wheels are supposed to self-centre, but if they are, the offside rear didn’t get the memo. While we’re on our knees, peering at those stunning rims, which seem to be in top shape, we did see some slight tarnishing on the Bentley-stamped brake callipers. The vendor informs us that the latest MoT lists just two advisory notices, one for the TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) and one for the front brake discs being “not seriously weakened”, though we’d suspect they’re due a change soon (ish). Those Pirelli P Zeroes Rosso tyres however, are still looking great.

We’ve said it many times, because it’s true, a second hand luxury car is made or broken by the condition of its cabin. Thankfully it seems that this one falls very much into the former camp. Its Magnolia hide looks spick and span (no mean feat) and clear of the more unsightly rips or tears encountered in many modern classics approaching their 20th year. The exquisitely trimmed boot area is let down a little by the Bentley stitching on the inside of the boot lid – holding up the warning triangle – looking a little scruffy, but that’s hardly a major issue.

Burl veneers still look glossy and intact with a lustre that only the finest cuts seem capable of providing. The contrasting blue material found throughout looks surprisingly tasteful and even having the belts made in (near) body colour doesn’t feel like overkill. The deep pile carpets still feel as sumptuous as those adorning any five-star suit. Effectively, there wasn’t a mark or sign of significant wear to any surface we deemed worthy of a whinge. You’ll likely have noticed the tyre pressure monitor warning on the dash is lit, one of just two advisories on the current MoT (which runs out in July). 

The party piece of any GT is its twin-turbo W12 engine. A relief to discover then that the vendor reports there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with this one – or any of the other mechanical components – during his drive to Bonhams Online HQ. He was prompted by the annual, and suitably Germanic, ‘Service Now’ command on the dash, but informs us that it’s merely set for 12-months, rather than mileage, but is nevertheless now due.

From our inspection, we couldn’t see a lot wrong with any of the underpinnings or mechanical bits of this Bentley. It’s massive 6.0-litre engine doesn’t allow a lot of space around it for examination, also further hampered here by the usual modern (ish) car’s plastic covers. The underside looks straight and tidy, but this is a very low-slung coupe and its vital bits are covered by a number undertrays. The only piece of history relating to anything we’d consider corrosion was some preventative rust treatment to the floors and an accompanying underseal top-up back in 2019.

The most recent service was carried out by Phantom Motor Cars in January 2023, at 42,019 miles (as mentioned, the next one is now due). The headliner was becoming unstuck (a common issue according to the vendor) and so was re-attached and refitted in November 2023 by Phantom. At the same time, the firm cleared fault codes for the electric windows and tyre pressure monitors (invoice in the history for £3146.40). Though as noted already, the latter indicator has returned.

An overheat warning was diagnosed by Phantom as an exhaust gas temperature sensor failure in 2021 at 35,896 miles (cured for £575.99). Phantom was again trusted to service the car in 2020 at 33,911 miles (interim four-year £857.18) and again in 2019 at 31,032 miles (£1390.50). A full four-wheel alignment was carried out in April 2019 at 28,505 miles, again at Phantom, those still good-looking Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres were also fitted at the same time (£806). The only mention of rust treatment (rear floor seams in 2019) coincides with the stone chip being re-applied underneath (two coats) by Phantom, plus a centre console fascia and cover replacement (coming to £1359.29).

Pre-2018, servicing was still carried out within the dealer network, with various invoices from Bentley Kent (too many to list here, peruse at your leisure). Annual servicing from pre-delivery to 2017 is marked very clearly by stamps in the service book. The owner’s ‘book pack’ also appears to be complete, which is a nice bonus.

We couldn’t hope to sum up this Continental as well as the vendor, so we’ll hand over to him to explain; “As you can see from the history documents, this Bentley has had only three owners, two of which were long term. The owner prior to me had the car for 10 years and I’ve had it for nearly seven… I purchased the car from Bentley Kent – who had sold the car to the previous owner – who I believe part exchanged it for another Bentley.

“I’ve used the car as a second (or third) vehicle during my ownership, hence the low mileage for a 2005 vehicle. It’s been used on several annual ‘road trips’ – through France and Spain and across Spain to Gibraltar – for which it’s been a brilliant means of transport. This is a great way to travel in style, with fantastic comfort and performance, and that’s why this is by far the longest I’ve owned a car, and why (as with the previous owner), I am looking to upgrade to another Bentley.”

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £15,000 - £20,000.

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