2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage passed 91.4% of its 661 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.6 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 16.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.8%) and emissions & environmental (2.4%) 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 malfunction indicator lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 13.5% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 32 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 16 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.4% | 16 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.2% | 8 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 19 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 10 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 9 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 7 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 6 |
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 | 14.2% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 49 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 14 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.0% | 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 | 354 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 267 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 37 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 5.3% |
| 2022 | 132 | 8.3% |
| 2023 | 137 | 10.9% |
| 2024 | 130 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 129 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 V8 Vantage
On a 2012 V8 Vantage, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (2.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Tyres (2.4% 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 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantages pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 661 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (2.4%).
Does the 2012 V8 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 13.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 661 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.