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Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS (2008-2012) reliability

Not enough data

Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS built around 2012: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS models built around 2012 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at an Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS?

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

Key figure

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

Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS
2008-2012CoupePETROL

Based on 793 tests of DBS models registered 2008-2012.

V12 DBS fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
557.3%
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
525.8%

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.

How the DBS V12 DBS compares

At each age below, see how the DBS V12 DBS holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 804 tests across 7 Aston Martin models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAston Martin average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
557.3%
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
525.8%

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.

Lighting

Worth checking

Inspect the lighting 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.

Headlight aim

If you have time

Park facing a wall at night and check the beam pattern is even and at the right height.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the DBS V12 DBS.

  1. 1

    Mini (R58)

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.9%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,394 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Volkswagen Scirocco

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.3%
    Dangerous
    8.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS on these figures.

    6,800 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,747 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Peugeot RCZ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS on these figures.

    2,774 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

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.

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

5 of the 8 DBS V12 DBS recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Vehicle may roll away
  • Movement of seat may damage battery supply cable
  • Risk of short-circuit in battery supply cable

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

How DBS V12 DBS cars have aged

How DBS V12 DBS 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.

0%10%911131517Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (81 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 6.3% (80 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 13.4% (82 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (75 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 3.2% (63 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (100 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 2.2% (89 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (100 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 5.8% (86 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 8.6% (93 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (123 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 6.5% (124 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 4.0% (124 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (123 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 6.5% (123 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 7.2% (138 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (133 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 3.6% (111 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (126 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 4.8% (124 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 5.2% (58 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (57 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (51 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 5.8% (52 tests, 2025 data)2008
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Aston Martin DBSes of this age

This list covers every Aston Martin DBS built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the V12 DBS on its own.

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

    9.2%
    Advisory: 23Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    3.3%
    Advisory: 6Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    1.7%
    Advisory: 3Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Headlamp aimed too low or out of line

    1.7%
    Advisory: 2Fail: 1 (33% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Sidelight or rear light not working

    1.7%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 3 (100% of the times it was found)

Based on 120 tests

Looking at an Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Aston Martin DBS V12 DBS (2008-2012) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 120 13-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 793 MOT tests on Aston Martin DBSes first registered between 2008-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.