The Used Rolls-Royce Wraith Buyer's Guide: What It Really Costs to Own
A $310,000 coupe when new. A $100,000 coupe on the used market today. Here is what a used Rolls-Royce Wraith actually costs to own, and why it might be the most extraordinary value in ultra-luxury motoring today.
The Rolls-Royce Wraith is one of the most quietly extraordinary vehicles ever built. A 6.6L twin-turbo V12. Suicide-hinged coach doors. Starlight headliner with fiber-optic stars set into the roof. Interior craftsmanship at a level almost no other vehicle in production matches. And a design that has aged more like a piece of architecture than a car — the Wraith looks as compelling today as it did at its 2013 launch.
It is also one of the most depreciated ultra-luxury vehicles on the used market. A Wraith that stickered at $310,000–$350,000 new now trades between $95,000 and $180,000 depending on year, mileage, and specification. That is a captured depreciation of $150,000 to $220,000 — money the first owner absorbed so you don't have to.
If you are considering a used Wraith, here is everything you need to know before you buy.
What the Wraith Actually Is
The Wraith is a two-door fastback coupe built on the Rolls-Royce Ghost platform. Produced from 2013 to 2023, it was the "sportier" Rolls-Royce — a phrase that requires quotation marks because the Wraith is still 5,400 pounds of coupe with a first priority of luxury refinement over driving dynamics.
Powered by a BMW-sourced 6.6L twin-turbo V12 producing 624 hp (632 hp in Black Badge). Eight-speed satellite-aided ZF automatic transmission that uses GPS data to preselect gears based on the road ahead. Air suspension calibrated for "magic-carpet" ride quality.
The Wraith is designed to make its occupants feel as though the world's problems belong to someone else. It succeeds.
Why It Depreciates So Steeply
Ultra-luxury depreciation is a specific market phenomenon. A few reasons the Wraith has been hit particularly hard:
- Original buyer demographic: Rolls-Royce buyers typically move to newer models every few years. The Wraith's original owner pool cycles quickly.
- Two-door coupe segment weakness: The overall market shift toward SUVs has depressed sports-coupe values across the luxury spectrum. The Wraith is not immune.
- Extraordinary maintenance costs: Cost of ownership discourages second buyers, which softens used demand.
- Rolls-Royce has continued producing new models: Cullinan, Ghost, Spectre, and Phantom all compete for the same buyer, spreading demand across the lineup.
The result is a used Wraith that costs roughly 30–50% of new MSRP. For the specific buyer willing to accept the ownership commitment, this is an extraordinary value.
The Cost of Ownership Reality
Let's be honest about what a used Wraith actually costs to own.
Insurance: $6,000–$12,000 per year depending on driver profile, coverage, and Chicago-area location.
Fuel: Premium required. Real-world mpg 12–17. On 10,000 annual miles at $4.50/gal premium: roughly $3,000/year.
Scheduled maintenance (at Rolls-Royce dealer):
- Oil service: $1,500–$2,500
- Brake fluid: $800–$1,200
- Recommended annual inspection: $1,500–$2,500
- Annual scheduled service: $3,000–$5,000
Tires: Bespoke Rolls-Royce specification, staggered 20-inch. A set: $4,000–$6,500 installed. Expected life: 25,000–35,000 miles.
Brakes: Standard brake service: $6,000–$10,000. Rotors are big and expensive.
Air suspension: Long-term maintenance category. Reserve $3,000–$6,000 over 5 years.
Battery: AGM battery replacement plus registration: $1,000–$1,500 every 4–5 years.
Unplanned repairs: With Rolls-Royce complexity, budget realistic reserve of $4,000–$8,000 per year for out-of-warranty vehicles.
Realistic total annual cost of ownership on an out-of-warranty Wraith driven 10,000 miles per year: $18,000–$32,000.
This is real money. It is the number you must accept before you buy. A qualified independent Rolls-Royce specialist can reduce roughly 30% of the maintenance and repair cost versus the dealership.
| Original price | $108,995 |
| Discounts & Fees | -$587+ |
| Today's price | $108,408 |
Common Issues to Check Before You Buy
Air suspension: Most common expensive service item. Any Wraith over 60,000 miles should have documented air suspension service history.
Front control arms / bushings: Wear item on high-mileage examples. $2,500–$4,500 for full replacement.
Coolant system: Plastic components age. Occasional replacement of expansion tanks, thermostat housings.
Twin-turbo N74 V12 items: The 6.6L V12 shares architecture with the BMW N74 (used in M760i and Rolls-Royce lineage). Watch for turbo oil supply issues on high-mileage examples, coolant leaks, and the standard high-mileage items.
Electronic complexity: Every feature (rear seat massage, drink cooler, umbrellas in the doors, starlight headliner, satellite-aided transmission) has its own failure mode. Verify everything works before you buy.
Interior craftsmanship inspection: The Wraith's interior is extraordinary when new. It ages beautifully when maintained and shabbily when neglected. Look at leather, wood veneer, headliner condition, carpets.
Coach doors: Rear-hinged doors are heavy and require specific hinge/latch service. Verify smooth operation.
Year-by-Year Buying Guide
2014–2016 Wraith: Earliest examples. Deepest depreciation. Look for well-documented service and low mileage (under 30,000). At $95,000–$120,000, these are the entry-point Wraiths.
2017–2019 Wraith: Mid-cycle refresh improvements. Better infotainment. Slightly better resale value. $110,000–$160,000 range.
2018+ Wraith Black Badge: Special performance variant. 632 hp, distinctive dark chrome trim, unique wheels. $140,000–$220,000 range depending on year and mileage. Collectible.
2020–2023 Wraith: Final production years. Newest examples on the used market. $160,000–$240,000. Best remaining warranty runway.
What to Ask For Before You Buy
- Complete Rolls-Royce dealership service history.
- Documentation of any air suspension service.
- Verification of coach door hinge / latch service if applicable.
- Interior condition photos from multiple angles including headliner.
- Verification that every feature works: starlight, massage seats, drink cooler, HUD, coach door operation.
- Full pre-purchase inspection from a qualified independent Rolls-Royce specialist. Do not buy a Wraith without one.
- Confirmation of tire age and remaining tread life.
The Buyer This Vehicle Is Actually For
Not every luxury buyer should buy a used Wraith. The right buyer:
- Has budget flexibility to absorb $18,000–$32,000 per year in ownership cost without stress.
- Understands the vehicle as an experience purchase, not an investment.
- Has access to a qualified Rolls-Royce specialist for service.
- Values interior craftsmanship, road presence, and driving refinement above cost efficiency.
- Ideally, owns other vehicles for daily driving and uses the Wraith as a special-purpose luxury coupe.
For that buyer, a used Wraith at current pricing is arguably the finest ultra-luxury value available anywhere in the market. Nothing else at this price delivers what a Wraith delivers.
Buy a Wraith at Autos of Chicago
We stock ultra-luxury vehicles including the Rolls-Royce Wraith. Every ultra-luxury vehicle we sell has been inspected and we can coordinate a qualified independent specialist pre-purchase inspection on request.
Call (224) 858-4007. 1555 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.
