Aston Martin DBS MOT pass rate and common problems
97.4% of 4,340 Aston Martin DBS MOT tests pass.
The DBS has a pass rate of 97.4%, a little higher than the average across all Aston Martin models (95.1%).
The Aston Martin DBS passes its MOT 97.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Aston Martin DBS?
This is the average across every Aston Martin DBS in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Aston Martin’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 99.0% at 0–3 years to 94.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 99.0% | 308 | 8,160 miles |
| 3–6 years | 98.5% | 2,204 | 11,930 miles |
| 6–10 years | 100.0% | 47 | 26,178 miles |
| 10–15 years | 96.4% | 1,286 | 27,944 miles |
| 15+ years | 94.1% | 495 | 28,740 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Aston Martin DBS
The most common reason the Aston Martin DBS fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 41.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 41.9% | Not working |
| Visibility | 25.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 24.6% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Identification of the vehicle | 12.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Brakes | 4.2% | Efficiency less than 50% of the required value |
| Suspension | 2.4% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.2% | With a defective structure |
| Steering | 0.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Aston Martin DBS: what to check
These checks follow the Aston Martin DBS’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Aston Martin DBS comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 100.0% to 96.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 97.8% down to 95.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 41.9% of failed Aston Martin DBS MOTs. 6.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 25.1% of failed Aston Martin DBS MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 24.6% of failed Aston Martin DBS MOTs. 1.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 12.0% of failed Aston Martin DBS MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 7.2% of failed Aston Martin DBS MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Aston Martin service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Aston Martin models
- Aston Martin DB9 — 94.0% pass rate
- Aston Martin DB11 — 97.5% pass rate
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage — 94.3% pass rate
- Aston Martin DB7 — 88.9% pass rate
- Aston Martin Vanquish — 95.3% pass rate
- Aston Martin Rapide — 93.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Aston Martin DBS?
- 97.4% of Aston Martin DBS MOT tests pass, based on 4,340 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Aston Martin DBS?
- The most common reason the Aston Martin DBS fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 41.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Aston Martin DBS?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Aston Martin DBS are lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; tyres. 6.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Aston Martin DBS?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; tyres; number plates and vin; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Aston Martin DBS's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Aston Martin service history guide for how to check and keep one.