Under Volkswagen’s ownership Bentley may have re-invented itself but it hasn’t forgotten the aftermarket needs of its older models.

The factory in Crewe has a parts department which can supply seven million components for Bentley and Crewe-built Rolls-Royces made since 1955.

Components for new cars account for 40% of a parts business for Bentley that has a dealer net value of around £50m a year. The UK accounts for 31% of this.

Mike Morris, aftersales operations director, said: “As Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW, we can’t direct-market to its dealers. To reassure them that Crewe would continue to make them available, Bentley launched its ‘Crewe Genuine’ label.

“Parts are distributed through our dealers and they supply the 30 or so major UK independents specialising in the marque, and to four wholesale outlets.”

Morris’s 64-strong team provides parts and accessories for 160 dealers – 24 of which are in the UK – in 43 countries.

Head of parts and accessories Steve Rhodes said “Our Crewe facility receives around 35,000 product lines a year and we handle 17,000 shipments involving more than 30,000 parts.

“We currently respond to over 95% of enquiries within 24 hours.”

Pre-1955 cars are supported by London dealer Jack Barclay, which has access to 5,000 product lines covering 500,000 part numbers.

Crewe also has a programme called ‘Price and Application’ for owners seeking parts no longer in stock. If the original blueprints and technical specification are held, the component can be reproduced.