2010 Aston Martin Dbs — MOT failures & pass rate
989 MOT tests on the 2010 Aston Martin Dbs are in this dataset, and 94.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 24.4% of the time, so this is 18.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.3%) and visibility (1.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and side repeaters — washers alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 9.7% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 7.0% in 2021 to 4.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 33 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.3% | 13 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.1% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 10 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 10 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 11 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 3 | Side repeaters | 9 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 9 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 13.7% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.4% | 53 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.6% | 16 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 14 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.3% | 13 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 638 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 315 | 6.7% |
| 60-90k | 31 | 9.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 201 | 7.0% |
| 2022 | 203 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 198 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 197 | 7.1% |
| 2025 | 190 | 4.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Dbs
On a 2010 Dbs, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (1.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 Aston Martin Dbss pass their MOT?
94.3% of the 989 2010 Aston Martin Dbs MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Aston Martin Dbs?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by visibility (1.3%).
Does the 2010 Dbs get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 989 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.