What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Aston Martin DBS.
The Aston Martin DBS occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 7 known issues across the Aston Martin DBS range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Aston Martin DBS? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
DBS-V1 (2007–2012) — Engine options included the 5.9L V12. Our database flags 7 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Suspension component corrosion (£2,000–£4,000 to address).
DBS-V2 (2018–2023) — Engine options included the 5.2L Twin Turbo V12. We track 2 known issues on this generation, with 1 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Carbon Ceramic Brake Wear (£8,000–£15,000 to address).
The aluminium suspension arms and mounting points on first-generation DBS models are subject to galvanic corrosion where they contact steel subframe components. The protective coating fails prematurely, allowing corrosion to progress to structural weakness. MOT data shows this model fails at 678 times the fleet average for suspension component corrosion, making it the most significant documented failure mode. The second-generation DBS Superleggera uses improved materials and mounting design that largely eliminates this problem.
Corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control and potentially fatal accidents. Even minor corrosion compromises handling precision and tyre wear. Replacement of front suspension arms and subframe mounting points typically costs £3,000-£6,000 depending on extent of damage.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The brake pipes and hose ferrules on first-generation DBS models suffer from accelerated corrosion, particularly where steel pipes pass through the aluminium chassis. Poor protection against road salt and galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals cause premature failure. MOT data shows brake pipe corrosion occurs at 5.3 times the fleet average and brake hose ferrule corrosion at 8.3 times the average. Both defects are trending worse over time.
Brake pipe failure causes complete loss of braking ability and certain serious accident risk. The car becomes impossible to stop safely. Emergency repair requires immediate professional attention and the vehicle must not be driven. Complete brake pipe renewal typically costs £800-£1,500.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Carbon ceramic brake discs fitted to DBS models wear rapidly under normal road driving conditions, requiring replacement at 15,000-30,000 miles rather than the 60,000+ miles typical of steel discs. The discs are designed for track use and suffer thermal cycling damage from repeated heating and cooling during everyday driving. Road contamination from brake dust, road salt, and moisture accelerates degradation. Replacement costs are extreme because the discs cannot be resurfaced and must be replaced as complete units.
Worn carbon ceramic discs compromise braking performance and can crack completely, leading to brake failure. The discs cannot be machined or resurfaced - complete replacement is the only option. A full set of carbon ceramic brake discs costs £10,000-£20,000 plus fitting, often exceeding the value of older DBS models.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Touchtronic 2 automated manual gearbox fitted to first-generation DBS models suffers from valve body wear and clutch actuator problems that cause hesitant gear changes and jerky operation. The system uses a single-clutch design with hydraulic actuation that becomes inconsistent as mileage increases. Software calibration issues compound the mechanical wear, particularly in stop-start traffic where the system struggles to provide smooth operation. The later DBS Superleggera uses an 8-speed torque converter automatic that does not suffer these issues.
A failing Touchtronic 2 transmission provides poor drivability and can eventually refuse to engage gears, stranding the vehicle. Internal damage to the valve body or clutch actuators requires transmission removal and specialist rebuild. Repair costs typically range from £3,000-£6,000 depending on the extent of internal damage.
Test the automatic gearbox extensively in slow traffic, car parks and on hill starts. Feel for any juddering, hesitation or clunking during gear changes. Try repeated low-speed manoeuvres as this is where problems are most apparent.
The adaptive dampers fitted to DBS models develop internal seal leakage and lose their ability to adjust damping rates effectively. The high-performance shock absorbers are subject to greater stress than conventional dampers due to the car's weight and performance capability. MOT data shows shock absorber failures occur at 2.9 times the fleet average in the 20,000-40,000 mile range, though the trend is improving on later examples.
Failed shock absorbers reduce handling precision and increase stopping distances, particularly in wet conditions. The adaptive damping system may default to a fixed setting, limiting the car's dynamic capabilities. Replacement requires genuine Aston Martin adaptive dampers costing £1,500-£3,000 per corner.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Aston Martin DBS common problems page.
Based on 8k real DVSA MOT tests, the Aston Martin DBS fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 679x the fleet average, followed by brake hoses perished or damaged (8x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Aston Martin DBS MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £200–£300 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include engine oil and filter (£200–£300), spark plugs (£400–£600), coolant flush (£300–£450).
See the full Aston Martin DBS service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Aston Martin DBS has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Aston Martin DBS, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Aston Martin DBS issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.