Aston Martin Dbs MOT Failures
An analysis of 4,729 real DVSA MOT tests on the Aston Martin Dbs — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: DBS-V1 (2007–2012), DBS-V2 (2018–2023).
Where the Aston Martin Dbs fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Aston Martin Dbs is brake hoses perished or damaged — this model is 8.3 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 4,729 MOT tests, 2.13% of all Aston Martin Dbs tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (679x the fleet average), brake pipes corroded (5.3x the fleet average), and light unit fault (5.2x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Aston Martin Dbs's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Brakes, Suspension, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Aston Martin Dbs before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Aston Martin Dbs specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component corrosion (DBS-V1) Dangerous
The aluminium suspension arms and mounting points on first-generation DBS models are subject to galvanic corrosion where they contact steel subframe components. Affects DBS-V1; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£4,000.
Brake pipe corrosion (DBS-V1) Dangerous
The brake pipes and hose ferrules on first-generation DBS models suffer from accelerated corrosion, particularly where steel pipes pass through the aluminium chassis. Affects DBS-V1; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,000.
Carbon Ceramic Brake Wear Major
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. Affects DBS-V1, DBS-V2; typical independent garage repair cost is £8,000–£15,000.
Touchtronic 2 Issues Major
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. Affects DBS-V1; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,500–£4,500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Aston Martin Dbs common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Aston Martin Dbs
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Aston Martin Dbs:
Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged, brake pipes corroded. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component corrosion and brake pipe corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,000. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Aston Martin Dbs?
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Aston Martin Dbs MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Aston Martin Dbs?
Based on 4,729 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is brake hoses perished or damaged — at 8x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and brake pipes corroded.
Is the Aston Martin Dbs reliable based on MOT data?
The Aston Martin Dbs has 4 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include brake hoses perished or damaged, anti-roll bar links worn, brake pipes corroded.
How do I check a Aston Martin Dbs's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.