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Aston Martin V8 Vantage Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Aston Martin V8 Vantage car check

Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage reliable? We analysed 61,949 real MOT tests across 4,210 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 61,949 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.0%
Typical Mileage
29,688mi
Annual Mileage
1,527mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords and coil spring broken. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Aston Martin V8 Vantage to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.9%
2013
90.4%
2012
89.9%
2011
90.2%
2010
91.8%
2009
90.7%
2008
90.3%
2007
89.2%
2006
87.8%
2005
94.2%
2000
87.4%
1997
82.5%
1996
83.9%
1995
87.5%
1994
89.2%
1989
89.6%
1988
92.8%
1987
88.4%
1986
85.6%
1985
89.9%
1984

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Aston Martin V8 Vantage fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 457
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 209
coil spring broken 188
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 180
registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced 173
Headlamp aim too low 166
position lamp(s) not working 158
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 149

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Aston Martin V8 Vantage models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 192

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Aston Martin V8 Vantage owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
657 mi/yr
Typical
1,527 mi/yr
Average
2,359 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,044 mi/yr

Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Aston Martin V8 Vantage year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 248 89.9% 13,681 20,546 30,387
2012 1,765 90.4% 14,884 22,671 32,086
2011 2,509 89.9% 15,074 23,887 32,870
2010 3,239 90.2% 15,421 23,902 35,154
2009 6,295 91.8% 16,203 25,947 37,564
2008 8,909 90.7% 17,309 27,917 41,004
2007 14,582 90.3% 18,919 30,349 44,521
2006 19,963 89.2% 20,932 33,480 49,002
2005 1,557 87.8% 28,462 42,824 57,887
2000 154 94.2% 8,298 22,386 31,011
1997 87 87.4% 5,501 21,850 31,151
1996 194 82.5% 20,420 31,495 41,939
1995 137 83.9% 22,048 32,019 41,801
1994 120 87.5% 14,640 23,424 40,606
1989 269 89.2% 26,516 38,589 49,363
1988 268 89.6% 19,684 27,866 47,782
1987 167 92.8% 18,574 35,064 55,720
1986 86 88.4% 46,299 50,746 52,967
1985 97 85.6% 43,101 48,356 67,845
1984 129 89.9% 23,883 32,146 61,872

How Long Does a Aston Martin V8 Vantage Last?

Based on 4,210 Aston Martin V8 Vantage vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.8 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
29,688 mi
75th Percentile
44,173 mi
95th Percentile
70,409 mi
Max Recorded
809,932 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2000

94.2% MOT pass rate from 154 tests

Year to avoid
1974

71.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

The best year to buy a used Aston Martin V8 Vantage is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.2% across 154 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Aston Martin V8 Vantage THIS CAR 90.0% 61,949 29,688 mi 21 yrs
Aston Martin DB9 89.4% 83,149 28,217 mi 22 yrs
Aston Martin DB7 85.1% 55,755 42,831 mi 31 yrs
Aston Martin Vantage 91.8% 50,565 20,344 mi 39 yrs
Fiat Punto S 60 61.7% 23,120 70,351 mi 29 yrs

Compared to the Aston Martin DB9 (89.4% pass rate) and the Aston Martin DB7 (85.1% pass rate), the Aston Martin V8 Vantage outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Aston Martin V8 Vantage?

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.0% across 61,949 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (457 recorded failures), tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (209), and coil spring broken (188). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Aston Martin V8 Vantage with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Aston Martin V8 Vantage owner drives around 1,527 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Aston Martin V8 Vantage models stay on UK roads for around 21 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage reliable?
Based on 61,949 MOT tests, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage has a 90.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords, and coil spring broken. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Aston Martin V8 Vantage do per year?
The typical Aston Martin V8 Vantage does around 1,527 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Aston Martin V8 Vantage last?
Most Aston Martin V8 Vantage models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 4,210 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Aston Martin V8 Vantage is 2000 with a 94.2% pass rate across 154 tests.