Sports car and convertible · 2016–2021 cars
Aston Martin DB11 reliability
The Aston Martin DB11 fails 3.9% of first MOT tests, 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,514 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Aston Martin DB11 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 3.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 66% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,514
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 3,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Aston Martin DB11 ages
Each point is the share of Aston Martin DB11s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Aston Martin DB11 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 4.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 3.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 3.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 3.8% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Aston Martin DB11 years
2018 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 794 | 3.8% | 57% fewer fails | 12,177 |
| 2019 DB11 | 2,177 | 4.4% | 56% fewer fails | 14,074 |
| 2018 DB11 | 3,157 | 3.4% | 69% fewer fails | 16,261 |
| 2017 DB11 | 3,575 | 4.7% | 64% fewer fails | 20,342 |
| 2016 | 631 | 1.7% | 87% fewer fails | 21,572 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Aston Martin DB11
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics1.5%41% below avg
- Tyres1%70% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.4%86% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%97% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%53% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.2%14% below avg
- Brakes0.2%90% below avg
- Suspension0.1%93% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%82% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.58% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Windscreen washers not working 0.33% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 0.25% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too high 0.23% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.17% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Number plate does not meet standards 0.13% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 7
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 0.1% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 8
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.1% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Aston Martin DB11's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit4.87%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.82%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.03%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit0.94%
- Brake pads wearing thin0.77%
- Nail in tyre, monitor0.76%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Aston Martin DB11
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Windscreen washers not working
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Aston Martin DB11 covers about 3,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, White, Grey
Average engine size: 4.7 litres.
Compare
How the Aston Martin DB11 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | 5.6% | 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB11 | 3.9% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Roadster | 19.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Convertible | 28.1% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda RX-8 | 31.9% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 124 | 12.5% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Cascada | 22.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Aston Martin models.
Questions
Aston Martin DB11 questions, answered
Is the Aston Martin DB11 reliable?
On MOT results, the Aston Martin DB11 is better than average: it fails 3.9% of first MOT tests, 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 8 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Aston Martin DB11 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Aston Martin DB11 are tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.58% of tests), windscreen washers not working (0.33% of tests), stop lamp not working (0.25% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 1.5% of its tests.
Which Aston Martin DB11 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (69% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (56% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Aston Martin DB11 do a year?
A typical Aston Martin DB11 covers about 3,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Aston Martin DB11 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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