Most Reliable Aston Martin Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 19,956 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Aston Martin models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
19,956 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Aston Martin model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Aston Martin VANQUISH
95.6% pass rate
Best Single Year
DB9 2005 Petrol
89.2% pass rate
Aston Martin vs National Average
91.3% vs 71.5%
+19.8% above average
Proven Durability Champion
DB9 2005
+31.9% at 13+ years
Aston Martin has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 19,956 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Aston Martin models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Aston Martin model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Aston Martin Compares to Rivals
Aston Martin ranks #6 out of 75 manufacturers with a 91.3% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin | 91.3% | #6 | 19,956 |
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Aston Martin leads its competitors with a 91.3% pass rate. However, newer Aston Martin models significantly outperform this average.
Best Aston Martin Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Aston Martin's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VANQUISH | 95.6% | +24.0% | 1,080 | 2013-2018 |
| DB11 | 95.0% | +23.5% | 2,253 | 2016-2020 |
| DBS | 94.4% | +22.9% | 1,271 | 2008-2020 |
| VANTAGE | 92.5% | +21.0% | 4,376 | 2006-2020 |
| V8 VANTAGE | 89.9% | +18.4% | 3,033 | 2006-2012 |
| DB9 | 89.8% | +18.3% | 4,182 | 2004-2016 |
| DB7 | 86.4% | +14.9% | 1,172 | 2000-2004 |
Top performer
The VANQUISH dramatically outperforms other Aston Martins with an 95.6% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Aston Martin Models Age Best?
These Aston Martin models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB9 | 2005 | Petrol | +31.9% | 13+ years | 89.2% |
| DB9 | 2007 | Petrol | +31.4% | 13+ years | 88.7% |
| V8 VANTAGE | 2006 | Petrol | +31.3% | 13+ years | 88.6% |
| V8 VANTAGE | 2007 | Petrol | +31.2% | 13+ years | 88.5% |
| DB9 | 2006 | Petrol | +30.7% | 13+ years | 88.0% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The DB9 2005 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 32 percentage points, with 1,064 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Aston Martin Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Aston Martin's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 91.6% | +20.1% | 17,988 |
Aston Martin Models to Avoid
Not all Aston Martins are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VANTAGE | 2019 | Petrol | 94.1% (+7.7% vs same-age) | 717 |
| DB11 | 2019 | Petrol | 94.5% (+8.1% vs same-age) | 509 |
| DB11 | 2018 | Petrol | 95.2% (+10.5% vs same-age) | 645 |
| DB11 | 2017 | Petrol | 94.1% (+12.0% vs same-age) | 731 |
| V8 VANTAGE | 2007 | Petrol | 88.5% (+28.6% vs same-age) | 740 |
| DB9 | 2007 | Petrol | 88.7% (+28.8% vs same-age) | 672 |
| DB9 | 2006 | Petrol | 88.0% (+28.1% vs same-age) | 601 |
| V8 VANTAGE | 2006 | Petrol | 88.6% (+28.8% vs same-age) | 933 |
| DB9 | 2005 | Petrol | 89.2% (+29.3% vs same-age) | 1,064 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2017-2019 petrol DB11s, 2006-2007 petrol V8 VANTAGEs, 2005-2007 petrol DB9s are the models that drag down Aston Martin's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Aston Martins?
When Aston Martins fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 580 |
| 2. Tyres | 282 |
| 3. Visibility | 259 |
| 4. Brakes | 233 |
| 5. Noise, emissions and leaks | 232 |
| 6. Suspension | 147 |
| 7. Identification of the vehicle | 88 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Aston Martin owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Check exhaust system for leaks and emissions
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- DB11 2019 Petrol: 94% pass rate
- VANTAGE 2019 Petrol: 94% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- DB9 2005-2007: +31% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- V8 VANTAGE 2006-2007: +31% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Aston Martin Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 19,956 tests on Aston Martin vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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