Are BARGAIN luxury cars a TRAP?

Matt Watson bought a Bentley Continental GT for £10,000, a car that originally cost over £110,000. He questions if it was a bargain or a mistake, noting immediate issues like a non-functional tire pressure monitor and a sensor that falsely indicates the bonnet is open. The car also suffers from broken organ stops, a noisy brake booster that temporarily resolves itself, and a fan that cannot be turned off, stuck on a single speed. In contrast, Bentley's own press car, valued at £30,000, also has its flaws. Its tire pressure monitoring system is faulty, and an armrest that initially wouldn't go down eventually fixed itself. The fan in the press car also has a single, unchangeable speed. Performance figures reveal a significant disparity. Bentley's press car boasts 550 horsepower and an impressive 750 Nm of torque, exceeding its claimed figures. Matt's car, however, was dyno-tested at a mere 360 horsepower at the crank, with actual output around 320 horsepower, a deficit of nearly 200 horsepower. This loss is attributed to failed boost pressure sensors, a costly repair requiring engine and differential removal, estimated at over £8,000. A drag race confirmed the power deficiency. The press car accelerated rapidly, while Matt's car struggled, completing the quarter-mile in 14.84 seconds compared to the press car's 13.5 seconds. A real-world acceleration test from 30 to 70 mph also showed the press car to be significantly quicker. Beyond the engine issues, Matt's Bentley requires substantial repair. The RE Performance team identified worn front suspension, a faulty brake vacuum pump, two new handbrake motors, and an overdue major service. The car was predicted to fail its MOT due to worn front brakes and split CV boots. A Bentley specialist quoted £26,000 to restore the car to near-new condition, including engine repairs. Facing the exorbitant repair costs, Matt considered scrapping the car for parts. He visited Flying Spares, a Bentley parts specialist, to assess the value of individual components. Headlights were estimated at £300-£600, the grille £300, and the front bumper around £1,000. The wheels, needing a refurb, could fetch £1,000. The rear lights were valued at £800 each. While the W12 engine itself is deemed too problematic to warrant warranty for resale, individual parts from it could be sold. The electric spoiler was also a valuable component. Interior parts, including switches on the doors and seats, were considered, though the Mulliner seats, despite their quality, had low demand and were valued at £200-£250 each. Despite the potential for parts sales, the specialist estimated a total return of up to £20,000 over a couple of years, but would only budget £5,000 to purchase the car for spares, making it unviable for him. Matt then decided to test his car's suitability for everyday cruising by comparing it with the press car. He found his car acceptable for general driving, noting that for £10,000, it offered a pleasant experience despite its flaws. The press car, while better, was not perceived as "three times nicer" to justify its significantly higher price. A visual comparison was next, after the black Bentley was professionally valeted. Emily from Greenhouse Fleet Services, a quality control inspector, rated the green press car an eight out of ten, citing minor blemishes. She scored Matt's black car a five, noting significantly more noticeable damage. The immediate hurdle for Matt was getting his Bentley roadworthy. The car needed to pass an MOT. Proa Auto was tasked with fixing the essential safety issues: brake discs, brake pads, and new CV boots. The cost for these repairs was just over £1,000. The MOT test itself was a nail-biting moment, but the car passed. Matt expressed satisfaction with his £10,000 investment, highlighting that the total cost, including repairs, was less than half that of a near-mint example. He could enjoy the car's interior and W12 sound, even with reduced horsepower. However, just a week later, the engine warning light illuminated on his way to a Car Wow drag race shoot, suggesting further issues and the potential need to sell the car for parts sooner than anticipated.