'I bought a Bentley for less than UK's cheapest new car and couldn't believe what I found'

As the cost of living, socialising, commuting, and heating rises, the cost of driving is also increasing. With all of those factors in mind, when it comes to cars, more and more people are opting to buy used or nearly-new instead.

This is, in large part, because new cars are more expensive than ever before. For example, even the cheapest new cars on sale exceed £13,000.

According to figures from the likes of the RAC, the cheapest new car on sale, as of July 2025, is the Dacia Sandero with the Romanian model priced at around £14,715. However, one car expert, journalist Mat Watson, went bolder and managed to buy a 2006 Bentley Continental GT for just over £10,000.

Earlier this year, Mat compared it to a brand new Bentley to find out how the two vehicles compared, and to determine whether he felt his purchase had initially been worth the risk.

Speaking on the Carwow YouTube channel, Mat concluded that his idea had paid off. He explained: “I’m amazed at how good this car is for the money. Yeah it’s got a few faults, but we’ll get them fixed.

“I reckon it’s going to come to around £15,000 for a sorted old Bentley Continental GT, which just feels so expensive and special even today, and way more special than £16,000.”

Earlier in the video, he’d remarked on how older cars tend to give a luxurious first impression, explaining: “People will think you are a lot richer than you really are if you buy a cheap old Bentley even if one big fix could bankrupt you.”

Whilst Mat felt investing in an old Continental GT had been worth it, he did caveat by admitting that the driving experience doesn't feel as reliable.

On the road he said: “This car does feel pretty old to drive. The steering is a little bit disconnected and, ultimately, if you really do start pushing this car, it’s going to start nosing wide in the bends so you just waft along and then get on the power when you come out of a turn.”

Mat isn’t the only motoring journalist to remark on the Bentley Continental GT as a worthwhile used motoring investment.

AutoExpress journalist Ellis Hyde listed it as part of his trio of alternatives to a brand new Range Rover as part of a £100,000 three car garage.

Explaining why he had picked the Continental GT he said: “The Bentley Continental GT offers sophisticated style, stupendous speed and a pillowy ride, making it the perfect car for crossing counties, countries or entire continents if you have the time.

“This particular example we found had covered just over 26,000 miles, yet the gorgeous interior looks factory fresh and features quilted leather just about everywhere you look.”