Rolls-Royce Phantom review - Reliability and Safety

There’s little chance of Euro NCAP crash-testing the Phantom any time soon (nor the BMW 7 Series that shares much of the same technology), but the car’s massively rigid aluminium space-frame structure and sheer bulk means it’s likely to perform well if the worst happens. There’s a full complement of airbags and passive safety features, while the array of new technology includes night vision, collision and lane-departure warnings. Active cruise control and a head-up display are all part of the safer driving narrative too.

Rolls-Royce famously refuses to acknowledge the concept of breakdowns, but it does admit to the occasional ‘failure to proceed’. The Phantom is crammed to the gunwales with hi-tech kit that could go wrong, but the previous model has an admirable reliability record. Looking at the attention to detail that’s been lavished on the latest model’s design and build quality, it’s hard to imagine that significant problems will arise this time around. 

Warranty

When you buy a Rolls-Royce of any kind these days, it comes with a four-year unlimited-mileage warranty and inclusive servicing cover. It means the costs of all repairs are covered, as well as all ‘consumable items’ apart from tyres. That means lubricants, filters, and brake components are included, for ultimate peace of mind. 

Servicing

You needn’t worry about service intervals for the Phantom, as the car has on-board tech to tell you when it needs a trip to the dealership. In fact, the Phantom even monitors the state of its oil, brake pads and filters, and uploads the data automatically to the dealer network so all aspects of maintenance can be taken care of - there's potential that your local dealership will know that your Phantom will need a service before you're aware of it.