2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
2,547 MOT tests on the 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage are in this dataset, and 92.8% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.1% fail rate), the 2008 V8 Vantage comes out 13.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.7%) and visibility (2.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 52 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.6% versus 5.5%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 68 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.6% | 66 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 38 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.5% | 37 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.3% | 32 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 23 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Wipers | 50 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 33 |
| 4 | Washers | 32 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 18 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 16 |
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 | 14.6% | 371 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 310 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.5% | 116 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.2% | 82 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 62 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 55 |
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 | 802 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,390 | 7.1% |
| 60-90k | 313 | 10.5% |
| 90-120k | 34 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 530 | 6.8% |
| 2022 | 524 | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 511 | 7.2% |
| 2024 | 484 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 498 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 V8 Vantage
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 2.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (2.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (1.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantages pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 2,547 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.6%).
Does the 2008 V8 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,547 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.