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Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 (2016-2024) reliability

At a glance

Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at an Aston Martin DB11 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

5% of MOT tests on Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 4% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Aston Martin DB11 Mk1
excellent reliability2016-2024CoupePETROL

Based on 2,643 tests of DB11 models registered 2016-2024.

About 1 in 20 petrol DB11 cars registered in 2022 (4.9%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 164 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

1.6% of DB11 Mk1 MOTs failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 615 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 0.9% and 3.0%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 150 DB11 Mk1 MOTs (0.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 615 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 0.3% and 1.7%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1833.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2313.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4486.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5744.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6154.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5923.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 5 years old.

How the DB11 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the DB11 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 1,190 tests across 3 Aston Martin models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAston Martin average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1833.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2313.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4486.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5744.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6154.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5923.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the DB11 Mk1.

  1. 1

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 on these figures.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 on these figures.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Scirocco

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 on these figures.

    3,040 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 on these figures.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

All 4 DB11 Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Inadvertant airbag deployment
  • Certain fixings on the front seat air bag may not have been tightened to the correct torque
  • The vehicles may not have had their passenger airbag fixings tightened to the correct torque

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on DB11 Mk1 cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 53 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
2%
Emissions
2%

Wear items

Tyres
6%
Lighting
4%
How DB11 Mk1 cars have aged

How DB11 Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%345678Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 2.1% (145 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 4.4% (136 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 4.3% (185 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 3.9% (179 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 6.3% (175 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.0% (356 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 5.8% (308 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 3.9% (283 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 6.0% (284 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 3.9% (464 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 3.7% (456 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 4.3% (416 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 4.7% (406 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 5.3% (375 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 6.7% (597 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 5.2% (553 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 5.7% (511 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 6.7% (522 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 3.6% (495 tests, 2025 data)2017
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
Mk1 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Aston Martin DB11 models of this age

This list covers every Aston Martin DB11 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    10.9%
    Advisory: 115Fail: 7 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.4%
    Advisory: 149Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    3.4%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 5 (19% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    1.6%
    Advisory: 18Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    1.3%
    Advisory: 21Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 615 tests

Looking at an Aston Martin DB11 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Aston Martin DB11 Mk1 (2016-2024) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 615 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,643 MOT tests on Aston Martin DB11 models first registered between 2016-2024. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.