Used car guide

2012 Aston Martin V8: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Aston Martin V8 first registered in 2012: we looked at the 367 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 367 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

367MOTs of 2012 cars, done in 2023–2025
88%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
2,600typical miles a year
15%had tyres flagged

Common 2012 Aston Martin V8 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Aston Martin V8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    15% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    11% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    7% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    4% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Aston Martin V8

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Aston Martin V8?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Aston Martin V8 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011510Tyres 10%
2010623Tyres 11%
20091,072Tyres 13%
20081,400Tyres 15%
20072,145Tyres 13%
20062,726Tyres 14%
2005204Brakes 16%
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Aston Martin V8 cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score