Used Bentley Bentayga review and buying guide (2016 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Bentley Bentayga should you buy?

The Bentayga's been on sale since 2016, and the choice that matters is between the W12 petrol and the V8 diesel. The W12's the faster and more powerful of the two, so it's the one to have if pace matters to you. If it doesn't, there's no point holding out for a W12 when a V8 diesel with the seating layout you want turns up.

Every Bentayga was built to order, so each car carries its first owner's choices and the spec isn't the same from one to the next. If you're mostly going to be driven rather than drive, hunt out one with the four-seat option, which makes the back into a raised limousine. If you need the extra rear seat, skip the four-seat cars.

Cars with electric side steps have one quirk that matters before you buy. When dust or mud blocks the step sensors, the steps don't retract, the safety switch never confirms they're stowed, and the car won't start. Don't let it put you off a good car, but don't buy one until you've seen the steps fold away properly.

Which Bentayga engines are the safe choices?

The W12 petrol and the V8 diesel are the two engines to choose from, and pace is what splits them: the W12's the fastest Bentayga there is. That's the difference to weigh, so choose on how you'll drive it. If you're not going to use the W12's speed, the seating layout and the car's history matter more than which engine's under the bonnet.

If a Bentayga won't start, don't blame either engine straight away. On cars with electric side steps, mud or dust in the step sensors stops them folding in, the safety switch doesn't tell the engine computer they're stowed, and it refuses to fire up. Cleaning the sensors is the first thing to try before anyone starts looking under the bonnet.

What should you check when viewing a used Bentayga?

Run the electric side steps, if the car's got them, through several out and in cycles and watch them tuck fully away every time. Dirty sensors stop them retracting, and a car whose steps haven't stowed won't start. Look for mud or grit packed around the steps and their sensors, then start the car once they're in to prove it all works together.

Because each car was built to order, don't take the advert's word for what's fitted. Check the seating layout is the one you want, especially if it's a four-seater, and that the features you're paying for are actually on the car. Ask for receipts for any work done on the side steps, as that tells you whether the starting fault's already shown up on this one.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Bentley Bentayga cost to run?

What do Bentayga owners like about them?

No Bentley before it was this practical, so it's one you can use every day, and the cabin's a lovely place to spend time. The ride's smooth and composed, and the whole car feels hushed and refined on the move. In W12 form it's seriously quick, too, so there's real pace on tap whenever you want it.

The four-seat version makes it a raised limousine for anyone who'd rather be driven than drive, with the back given over to two passengers. There's real exclusivity too, since every one was built to order for its first buyer. That means the car you're looking at was specified by someone who chose each detail, and it isn't a copy of the one parked next to it.

• The 2016 Bentley Bentayga is highly regarded as the most practical vehicle ever produced by the manufacturer, offering excellent utility.
• This 2016 Bentley Bentayga is praised for being the most refined SUV available, providing a superior driving experience.
• The W12 version of the 2016 Bentayga is noted for being the fastest, quickest, and most powerful SUV currently on the market.
• The 2016 Bentayga offers beautiful ride quality, which is perfectly complemented by its stunning and luxurious cabin.
• Choosing the four-seat configuration transforms the 2016 Bentley Bentayga into a luxurious, high-riding limousine experience.