2017 Aston Martin Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
1,564 MOT tests on the 2017 Aston Martin Vantage are in this dataset, and 95.6% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 5.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.2%) and tyres (1.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tyre pressure monitoring system and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 42 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 9.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 3.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 5.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 35 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.7% | 26 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.0% | 15 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 7 |
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 | 42 |
| 2 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 11 |
| 3 | Wipers | 11 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 11 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 10 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 7 |
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 | 9.3% | 146 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.2% | 66 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.4% | 37 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.7% | 26 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.6% | 10 |
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 | 1,458 | 4.0% |
| 30-60k | 98 | 9.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 337 | 3.9% |
| 2022 | 313 | 3.5% |
| 2023 | 316 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 293 | 4.8% |
| 2025 | 305 | 5.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Vantage
On a 2017 Vantage, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.7% 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.
- Visibility (1.0% 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.
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 2017 Aston Martin Vantages pass their MOT?
95.6% of the 1,564 2017 Aston Martin Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Aston Martin Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.2% of tests, followed by tyres (1.7%).
Does the 2017 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.0% in the 0-30k band to 9.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,564 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.