A Pre-Owned Bentley Costing As Much As A Camry Accumulated $50,000 In Maintenance Expenses | Carscoops

      This 1996 Bentley Azure accumulated over $50,000 in service receipts over the course of eleven years.

      A sophisticated 1996 Bentley Azure convertible equipped with a V12 engine has been recently put up for sale.

      Service records from the last decade indicate an impressive $50,000 expended on maintenance.

      This British model boasts a green exterior, beige interior, and abundant wood accents.

      Luxury vehicles are often regarded as symbols of wealth and elegance; however, they also have a reputation for depreciating more swiftly than a hot potato on sale. As they age, this depreciation can make them unexpectedly attainable for those who may not be able to buy them at retail price. However, what may seem like an excellent deal can quickly escalate into a financial burden of costly repairs. The Bentley in question exemplifies this scenario.

      The 1996 Bentley Azure is a convertible grand tourer with 43,600 miles (approximately 70,200 km) that did not meet the seller’s reserve at $25,550 on Cars and Bids. Nonetheless, the auction reflects how much buyers are ready to spend, with newer, lower-mileage versions reaching up to $35,000 on the same platform and $24,000 on Bring a Trailer. The reasons behind this are quite clear.

      Maintenance Expenditures: The True Cost of Luxury

      Before envisioning yourself driving a British luxury vehicle for the cost of a new Toyota Camry, take a moment to review the service records linked to the listing. They reveal that the car has accumulated an astonishing $50,364 in maintenance expenses over the past ten years. Indeed, owning an Azure can swiftly shift from a dream vehicle to a costly burden.

      This significant (for most of us) sum includes 18 visits to the F Imports & Exotics service center between October 2014 and May 2025. The highest charge? An astounding $12,097 service bill in 2019, which encompassed repairs to the brakes, turbocharger, radiator, and A/C.

      Certainly, anyone who owns a car that originally had a base MSRP of $300,000 in 1996 (before adding any optional features) — equivalent to around $625,000 today when adjusted for inflation — is likely not surprised by these costs. But if you think you can acquire one for $25,500 nearly three decades later and maintain it within a Toyota Camry budget, you’re in for an awakening.

      Appears and Feels Luxurious, Until It Doesn’t

      Apart from the expenses of ownership, this Bentley Azure will undoubtedly give its owner a prestigious appearance. The green exterior beautifully complements the beige interior and matching retractable roof. However, those 17-inch chrome alloy wheels, once a choice, now have a distinctly '90s appeal that may seem somewhat outdated by 2025 standards.

      The interior has aged gracefully, featuring genuine wood accents on the dashboard, center console, and door panels. There are no screens present, just an aftermarket Alpine stereo that could be upgraded for something more sophisticated. Standard amenities include a power-operated soft top, heated and power-adjustable seats with memory functions, a built-in telephone, and dual-zone climate control.

      Under the hood lies a turbocharged 6.75-liter V8 engine that produced 385 hp (287 kW / 390 PS) when new. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, enabling this luxury cruiser to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in a commendable 6.5 seconds.

      However, it’s not all without issues. The listing notes several imperfections, such as chips and scuffs on the exterior, stains on the soft top, minor interior wear, and some rust on underbody parts. Additionally, there are mentions of a random misfire, a malfunction in the turbo solenoid B, and an issue with the crankshaft position sensor. But considering this is a nearly 30-year-old luxury vehicle handcrafted in Crewe, one might overlook some of these quirks, provided they don’t expect it to be completely trouble-free.