Rolls-Royce Ghost (second generation) buying guide

Before you fall for a used second-generation Ghost, ask how it sits after a night parked and what cover Rolls-Royce says remains on it. The car arrived for the 2021 model year on the aluminum spaceframe it shares with the Phantom VIII and Cullinan, so the BMW-derived structure of the first car is gone.

The engine is a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12, and the car has all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. Audi-net says that makes it technically closer to the Phantom and Cullinan than to the first Ghost, and warns against carrying first-generation repair assumptions over. If you are weighing it against the older car, our first-generation Ghost guide covers that one, and the Cullinan guide covers the sibling it shares its structure with.

Most examples are still young. carchecker.pro says the mechanicals are sound and major failures are uncommon, but that repair costs once the warranty has ended are extreme. So find out in writing, from the VIN, which cover is still running before you agree a price. You can start with used Ghosts for sale.

Pair a viewing with a specialist inspection, as carchecker.pro advises, covering air suspension, oil leaks, electronics and turbochargers.

• Check that the car sits level at all four corners after standing overnight, because a warm compressor can temporarily hide a leak.
• Ask whether service bulletin RR65481833 has been applied if the car has ever dropped its ride height.
• Look under the engine for oil along both valve covers, around the alternator bracket and at the front timing cover.
• Listen for a rattle from the turbos under acceleration and on the overrun, which points to a worn wastegate actuator rod.
• Find out how the car has been used, since long idling and short trips are what coke the turbo oil lines.
• Ask the seller how long the car sits between drives and whether it lives on a trickle charger.
• Test every comfort access door handle and look for electronics warnings on the dash.
• Have Rolls-Royce confirm from the VIN that recalls and service actions are complete, remembering that service action A 04 2022 04 covers comfort entry only on cars built between 28 January and 31 March 2022.
• Get Rolls-Royce to state from the VIN which factory, Service Inclusive or extended cover remains.
• Confirm the Starlight Headliner is there, and on an unusual color ask to see the Paint-to-Sample build papers.
• Match the wheelbase, Black Badge status and original market to the paperwork.

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for these model years. The one that matters, 23V-645, covers 2021-2023 Ghosts and concerns the single-layer glass over the instrument cluster, which may break in a crash. The other was filed for 2021 under seat belts by BMW of North America, and its summary covers a range of BMW models.

Owners have filed no complaints with NHTSA as of October 31, 2026. Check any car's VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy.

Buy the car with the longest remaining cover, and get Rolls-Royce to confirm from the VIN what Service Inclusive or extended warranty is left. CarsCounsel says the second generation is too new to judge for long-term reliability, while Marque rates it an engineering generation ahead of earlier cars, so a specialist inspection counts for more than the car's reputation.

Skip a car that sits low after a night, drains its battery or has no build paperwork for an unusual color. Insist on a level stance after standing overnight, and on dry valve covers, alternator bracket area and front timing cover.