Rolls-Royce Sedan Range

Because it’s a big, heavy, expensive, complex car, Rolls Royce Silver Spirit problems usually only come in one size. These really are second-hand cars for those who know precisely what they’re letting themselves in for, and even then, are not for the faint-hearted.

Start any inspection inside and pay attention to how the car looks overall. Often, cars like this lose retained value to the point at which a service costs more than the car itself is actually worth. When that happens, they get bought by speculators and go downhill fast. So make sure the interior isn’t tatty and check every single switch, button and lever (and there are lots of them) for correct operation. Just rebuilding the climate-control system in a Silver Spirit could cost more than a good hatchback is to buy.

Mechanically, there’s lots to watch out for too. Don’t forget, thee are older cars now, so the engine and driveline could easily be showing signs of wear. Any smoke from the exhaust or noises from under the bonnet are bad news. So is a car that won’t select gears quickly and smoothly. The Rolls Royce uses a convoluted (and, frankly, arcane) braking system that relies on hydraulic accumulators. If these are anything short of spot on, the car could be a death-trap.

Big heavy cars are also hard on tyres (and the Spirit is very sensitive to having the correct tyres fitted) and suspension components. Suspension bushes die early and the shock absorbers are expensive to replace (and require a special service tool to remove the front units). The bottom line is that this is a vehicle for the experts out there who will be able to deal with the problems when – and not if – they occur.

If there are any common problems and complaints about Rolls Royce's reliability or faults, they'll likely show up on our Rolls Royce problems page. You can also calculate a car's projected resale value via our price and specs page.

The most expensive new Rolls Royce is the Phantom EWB, which is listed at $1,100,000. For more info on the latest models, check out our pricing and specs page, and you'll find all Rolls Royce reviews and news here.