Used buying checklist
Aston Martin Dbs reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Aston Martin Dbs looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 4.8% of 1,452 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 4.8% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 16,774 miles
- 69 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (7.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ferrule excessively corroded, excessively corroded, and corroded and seriously weakened.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ferrule excessively corroded
- excessively corroded
- corroded and seriously weakened
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- for LED or HID headlamp inoperative
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- of an obligatory external mirror significantly affected by an obstruction
Focus on corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
The model's recorded failure rate is 4.8%, -14.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed1,452 tests
- Median tested mileage16,774 miles
- Failed MOT tests69
Should you buy a used Aston Martin Dbs?
95.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 4.8%, -14.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ferrule excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (7.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Dbs, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 2.2% at 0-3 years to 7.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Dbs, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (7.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Aston Martin Dbs mainly involve 5 areas: seatbelts and safety systems, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Dbs, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 1,339 | 1,248 | 4.6%-6.2 percentage points vs all models | 15,546 miles |
| 50-100k | 103 | 93 | 5.8%-14.9 percentage points vs all models | 59,698 miles |
| 100-150k | 2 | 1 | 50.0%+23.8 percentage points vs all models | 101,484 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Dbs, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 2.2% at 0-3 years to 7.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 7.4% for 15+ years cars, based on 95 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
137 | 133 | 2.2%-6.3 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
466 | 434 | 3.0%-7.6 percentage points vs all models | 4.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
3 | 3 | 0.0%-16.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
751 | 691 | 6.0%-17.6 percentage points vs all models | 13.0 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
95 | 87 | 7.4%-18.5 percentage points vs all models | 15.7 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2020-10-12 | CERTAIN FIXINGS ON THE FRONT SEAT AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT TORQUE Certain fixings on the front seat airbag may not have been �tightened� to the correct torque. Examine the front seat airbag fixings and if necessary secure the fixings. |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-19 | THE VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD THEIR PASSENGER AIRBAG FIXINGS TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT TORQUE Vehicles may not have had their passenger airbag fixings �tightened� to the correct torque specification Examine the passenger airbag fixings and if necessary secure the fixings. |
| 2017-12-18 | MOVEMENT OF SEAT MAY DAMAGE BATTERY SUPPLY CABLE In some circumstances when the right side front seat is operated to its fully reward position the seat runner can compress the battery supply cable and cause the seat to damage the battery supply cable. This may cause an open circuit and/or ground the supply cable which may then overheat. On affected vehicles examine the battery supply cable for damage and install a routing block to ensure that the seat runner cannot compress the battery supply cable. If necessary replace the cable. |
| 2017-12-18 | VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY Due to a communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) software and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) the transmission park pawl may not engage. In certain circumstances such as when the park brake is not applied the vehicle may roll away. On affected vehicles update the software for the Transmission Control Module. |
| 2016-04-11 | RISK OF SHORT-CIRCUIT IN BATTERY SUPPLY CABLE On affected vehicles the right fron seat can compress the battery supply cable. Prolonged occurences coulld cause damage to the insulation and the cable may short out Fit new cable guide to reroute supply cable. Check condition of supply cable and where necessary reinforce insulation . In rare instances the cable may require replacement. |
| 2014-12-02 | SEAT MAY OVERHEAT On affected vehicles The control module for the front heated seats mail fail and when the ignition is switched on allow a permanent feed to the heater element(s). In this condition it may not be possible to switch off the heater element and over a period of time this may cause a seat to overheat and smouldering to occur. Occupants will notice an inability to switch the seat heater off using the designated switch and over longer periods a higher than normal temperature of the seat squab. Fit additional seat heater monitoring modules. Where necessary seat elements may also be replaced. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Aston Martin Dbs. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Aston Martin reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.