2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage passed 91.0% of its 365 recorded MOT tests. That is 13.2 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.7%) and visibility (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 8 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 13.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.2% in 2021 to 6.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 17 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.7% | 10 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.5% | 9 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 9 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.1% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 8 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
| 4 | Washers | 6 |
| 5 | Wipers | 6 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 5 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.4% | 49 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.4% | 49 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.9% | 25 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.9% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 9 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 9 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 165 | 7.3% |
| 60-90k | 139 | 7.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 76 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 69 | 7.2% |
| 2023 | 75 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 69 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 76 | 6.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 V8 Vantage
On a 2005 V8 Vantage, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.7% 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.
- Suspension (2.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantages pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 365 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.7%).
Does the 2005 V8 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 30-60k band to 7.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 365 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.