Aston Martin V8 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Aston Martin V8, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 9,047 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1985 Aston Martin V8
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Aston Martin V8 as a whole.
What to check on a 1985 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
201220112010200920082007200620051986198519841981198019791978197719761975197419731972
What usually goes wrong with an Aston Martin V8?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Aston Martin V8 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Aston Martin V8 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Seat belts
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £80–£250 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.
Aston Martin V8 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Aston Martin V8 did best (93% passed first time, 34 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2011 did worst (92%, 30 points above all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying an Aston Martin V8
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Aston Martin V8 as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score