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Aston Martin DBS reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-20232 named generationsCoupePETROL

We've only got 281 MOT tests for Aston Martin DBSes built around 2020 (5 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Aston Martin DBS built around 2020: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Aston Martin DBSes built around 2020 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check an Aston Martin DBS by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Aston Martin DBS's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Registration Plates

Worth checking

Inspect the registration plates 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.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your DBS's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

D

DBS Superleggera (2018-2023)

Excellent
PETROL

4.3% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Likely between 2.5% and 7.3%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 281 MOT tests at this ageView details →
DBS V12 DBS

V12 DBS (2008-2012)

Excellent
PETROL

4.2% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Likely between 1.8% and 9.4%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 120 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Aston Martin DBS.

See every build year for the Aston Martin DBS

Side-by-side

Aston Martin DBS generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
DBS Superleggera (2018-2023)
Excellent
Excellent4.3%likely between 2.5% and 7.3%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 281 MOT tests at this age
V12 DBS (2008-2012)
Excellent
Excellent4.2%likely between 1.8% and 9.4%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 120 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the DBS, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Aston Martin DBS fail rate by age

This chart combines every Aston Martin DBS ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1426.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1584.4%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2814.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2446.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
577.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1204.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1646.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2158.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1875.3%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
565.4%

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 15 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 5-year-old Aston Martin DBSes

These issues come from 5-year-old Aston Martin DBSes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.8%
    Advisory: 32Fail: 5 (14% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    4.3%
    Advisory: 15Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    1.8%
    Advisory: 4Fail: 1 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Number plate loose, but not likely to fall off

    0.7%
    Advisory: 1Fail: 1 (50% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Headlamp aimed too low or out of line

    0.7%
    Advisory: 2Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 281 MOT tests on 5-year-old Aston Martin DBSes, every generation combined.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Aston Martin DBS.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

All 8 Aston Martin DBS recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 recalls

Top concerns

  • 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
  • Vehicle may roll away

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,941 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    BMW 8 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.5%
    Dangerous
    8.6%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS on these figures.

    1,751 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.3%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,525 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    BMW 4 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.1%
    Dangerous
    6.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.3%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS on these figures.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,556 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Aston Martin DBS across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 281 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Aston Martin DBS ever sold: 1,624 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2020 (5 years old): 281 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.