Aston Martin Vantage MOT Failures

An analysis of 19,903 real DVSA MOT tests on the Aston Martin Vantage — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Gen1 (2005–2017), Gen2 (2017–2024).

Where the Aston Martin Vantage fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Aston Martin Vantage is seat mounting fault — this model is 28 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 19,903 MOT tests, 1.68% of all Aston Martin Vantage tests recorded this as a failure.

Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (373x the fleet average), emissions failure (6.5x the fleet average), headlight fault (33x the fleet average), and excessive fluctuation in brake effort through e... (5.5x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Aston Martin Vantage'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 5 categories: Seatbelts & Airbags, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Aston Martin Vantage 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.

How failures change with mileage

The Aston Martin Vantage's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Aston Martin Vantage specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (149x the average) and headlight fault (33x). seat mounting fault (14x) and emissions failure (6.4x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Aston Martin Vantage specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (24x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (5.0x).

The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to seat mounting fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

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 Vantage specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Suspension component corrosion (Gen2) Dangerous

The second-generation Vantage shows exceptionally high rates of suspension component corrosion, failing MOT tests at 614.2 times the fleet average on low-mileage examples. Affects Gen2; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.

Engine management malfunction light (Gen1 4.7L) Major

The 4.7-litre AJ37 V8 engine shows a documented pattern of check engine light activation at 302.5 times the fleet average, particularly on lower-mileage examples. Affects Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.

Brake hose ferrule corrosion (Gen1) Major

First-generation Vantages show brake hose ferrule corrosion at 157.9 times the fleet average, with the problem worsening over time according to MOT trend data. Affects Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Brake pipe corrosion (Gen1) Major

First-generation Vantages suffer brake pipe corrosion at 157.9 times the fleet average, with MOT trend data showing the problem is worsening over time. Affects Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Aston Martin Vantage common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Aston Martin Vantage

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Aston Martin Vantage:

Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component corrosion and engine management malfunction light. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. 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.

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.