2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,101 MOT tests, the 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage recorded a 93.0% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 19.2% of the time, so this is 12.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.0%) and visibility (1.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 26 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.9% in the 0-30k band and 12.9% in the 60-90k band, a 7.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.2% in 2021 to 6.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 44 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.1% | 12 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 12 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.0% | 11 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 10 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.6% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 10 |
| 4 | Washers | 10 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 10 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 9 |
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 | 11.6% | 128 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 83 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 19 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 15 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 15 |
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 | 510 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 524 | 7.2% |
| 60-90k | 62 | 12.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 220 | 8.2% |
| 2022 | 227 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 222 | 6.8% |
| 2024 | 216 | 5.1% |
| 2025 | 216 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 V8 Vantage
On a 2010 V8 Vantage, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% 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 (1.1% 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 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantages pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 1,101 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by visibility (1.1%).
Does the 2010 V8 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 12.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,101 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.