Sports car and convertible · 2003–2021 cars
Aston Martin DBS reliability
The Aston Martin DBS fails 4.6% of first MOT tests, 71% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,956 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Aston Martin DBS before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 4.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 71% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,956
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 2,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Aston Martin DBS ages
Each point is the share of Aston Martin DBSs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Aston Martin DBS | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 3.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 1.9% | 16.4% |
| 11 | 5.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 6.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 7.6% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 4.8% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 6.4% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Aston Martin DBS years
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 803 | 1.4% | 84% fewer fails | 8,516 |
| 2019 DBS | 1,513 | 3.2% | 66% fewer fails | 10,474 |
| 2018 | 358 | 2% | 82% fewer fails | 15,641 |
| 2012 | 522 | 6.9% | 62% fewer fails | 20,160 |
| 2011 | 527 | 6.8% | 67% fewer fails | 24,965 |
| 2010 | 859 | 5.8% | 74% fewer fails | 23,721 |
| 2009 | 763 | 6.8% | 71% fewer fails | 25,094 |
| 2008 | 401 | 7.2% | 70% fewer fails | 23,371 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Aston Martin DBS
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics1.9%61% below avg
- Tyres1.1%66% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1%73% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%151% above avg
- Brakes0.4%85% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%59% below avg
- Suspension0.1%96% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%90% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%86% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 0.47% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.39% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.39% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too low 0.32% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.29% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Number plate does not meet standards 0.25% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 7
Windscreen washers not working 0.2% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 8
Side repeater not working 0.17% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Aston Martin DBS's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.37%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.9%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy1.01%
- Tyre has a shallow cut0.72%
- Brake hose ferrule slightly corroded0.65%
- Nail in tyre, monitor0.64%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Aston Martin DBS
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 3
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.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 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 DBS covers about 2,300 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, Grey, Blue, White
Average engine size: 5.6 litres.
Compare
How the Aston Martin DBS compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini Huracan | 2.6% | 78% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ferrari 458 | 3.9% | 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DBS | 4.6% | 71% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| TVR Chimaera | 13.1% | 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB7 | 14.1% | 56% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GT | 5.8% | 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan 370 Z | 14.3% | 51% 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 DBS questions, answered
Is the Aston Martin DBS reliable?
On MOT results, the Aston Martin DBS is better than average: it fails 4.6% of first MOT tests, 71% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Aston Martin DBS MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Aston Martin DBS are position lamp not working (0.47% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (0.39% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.39% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 1.9% of its tests.
How many miles does a Aston Martin DBS do a year?
A typical Aston Martin DBS covers about 2,300 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 DBS 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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