Aston Martin are synonymous with British luxury. They make you think of James Bond, of prestige and most of all, driving fast.
Beautifully built, incredible to drive, it seems that there is nothing that Aston Martin can’t do when it comes to making some of the greatest, and coolest, cars ever.
Except, how reliable are Aston Martin?
You would expect that Aston Martin cars are the most dependable out there, after all, they are extraordinarily built and cost a small fortune to own, but is this the case? Are Aston Martin reliable?
In this article, we look at just how reliable Aston Martin are, and compare their reliability to some of their main rivals.
How reliable are Aston Martin?
There’s a mixed view when it comes to Aston Martin’s longevity. At one point, Aston Martin’s were very unreliable, but they seem to have become more dependable in recent years.
How reliable is the Aston Martin Vantage?
If we look at what the owners have to say, then they are pretty reliable. Owners of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe don’t seem to have too many complaints. There have been a few, particularly with the electrics, but overall it seems that owners are pretty happy with how their Aston Martin runs. As one owner has said, ‘needs loving care to find out what’s wrong but usually it’s just a quirk’. One owner, however, said that when it did need fixing it would take days as the parts were often out of stock. The V8 Vantage has had one recall in the models lifespan. This dealt with the car’s failure to start, and those that suffered from the problem either had trouble starting or simply didn’t start at all. Whatcar also recommends checking the manual gearbox and clutch for wear and tear should you be looking at a second-hand model.
Is the Aston Martin DB9 reliable?
Carmagazine did a long-term review of the Aston Martin DB9 and reported some problems. These included the Sat-Nav breaking quite early on and the fuel-filler cap failing to release. The emergency release was also broken. According to the review, this happened quite a few times despite it being repaired. However, that does seem to be the only problems they encountered in the ten months they had the car. And while it is an issue, they do seem to be minor issues. Carbuyer also noted issues with the DB9 but they also noted that the DB9 shares its brakes, gearbox and electronics with other mainstream cars which means that they should be more reliable than they once were.
So, there do appear to be a few problems with Aston Martin when it comes to reliability. That said, many of these issues have been ironed out or are being worked on. The Vantage recall was quite a big issue, your car not starting isn’t exactly ideal, but that seems to have been fixed and there have been no reports of any recalls since.
Why are Aston Martin unreliable?
You may be thinking ‘if a car is so expensive, why is it so unreliable?’ and you would be justified in thinking that. A car as pricey as an Aston Martin shouldn’t have any problems, but it actually seems to be the opposite when it comes to prestigious cars.
One of the reasons Aston Martin are more unreliable than mainstream models is that they are hand-built. This means that while the quality and the uniqueness of the car is unbeatable, it doesn’t have the dependability of more mainstream models that use sophisticated and modern manufacturing techniques.
Another reason that they may be considered unreliable is due to the availability, and cost, of parts. As one owner mentioned, when they tried to get their Aston Martin repaired it took days because the parts weren’t in stock. This is quite common with cars as prestigious as the likes of Aston Martin, because they don’t use the same parts as mainstream models. They are likely to be harder to source and also more expensive. Therefore this can bring the reliability down.
Another reason why Aston Martin are considered unreliable is because they aren’t necessarily designed for constant, everyday use. Many owners state that an Aston Martin isn’t a car you use to do your weekly shop in. Therefore, if you are to use your Aston Martin on a daily basis, then you may find that it suffers more wear and tear than an Aston Martin that is used every so often, and more than your average mainstream car that is designed to be used constantly.
All of that said, it should be noted that Aston Martin are making changes when it comes to reliability. So while Aston Martin were once unreliable, they might not be in the future.
How do you measure reliability?
One of the problems with trying to measure reliability for Aston Martin’s is that they aren’t that common. When we usually assess a brand’s longevity we tend to look at consumer reports and surveys, and gather our information from there.
However, there aren’t that many Aston Martins on the road, which means that they aren’t included in any consumer reports or surveys because there aren’t enough on the road for us to gather data from. In fact, in 2015 it was reported that Aston Martin had sold just 70,000 cars in its history. That is less than what Ford sold in 2012 alone. So, a lack of data and information makes it harder to work out how reliable a car is. However, we can go by recalls and other reports. Aston Martin owners have given feedback on how reliable the model they own is. And, there are reviews and expert opinions that predict how reliable a car will be.
Despite a lack of data, the information that we do have tends to be pretty accurate. Owner feedback is one of the most accurate ways of telling how reliable a car is, as they are the ones driving the car and are therefore the ones who know how reliable it is. Information regarding recalls is also accurate. Overall, using owner feedback is one of the best ways of knowing if a car is reliable or not.
Aston Martin vs. Bentley vs. Porsche; Which is more reliable?
We’ve established how reliable Aston Martin are, but how does this compare to some of its rivals; Bentley and Porsche? Bentley are very similar to Aston Martin, in that there aren’t many on the roads. This can make it difficult to determine how reliable they are. That said, there are some reports and it appears that Bentley are of similar dependability to Aston Martin. Bentley have run into some trouble in the past, a low point being when they came last in the table for reliability by WarrantyDirect. When Bentley’s do go wrong, they also tend to take a longer time to repair and they are more costly to repair. This is essentially for the same reason Aston Martin take a longer time to repair. However, it does appear as if Bentley are working on becoming more reliable. Porsche, on the other hand, have been making some serious strides when it comes to reliability. Once at the bottom of the reliability league tables, Porsche came first in the 2017 J.D Power Vehicle Dependability Study. This is a huge leap from being at the bottom for reliability in previous years. One of the reasons this could be is the fact that Porsche have had time to work on the modern technology they are putting in their cars and iron out any issues that they may have once had. Not only that, but their Cayenne and Macan models are very popular, and are more common on our roads than the likes of Bentley and Aston Martin. This means that their repair costs could be lower and they also might take less time to repair. This further increases a car’s reliability. If you are looking for a car brand that is going to be reliable as it is sporty and luxurious, then you will probably want to look at Porsche. That said, Aston Martin and Bentley are brands full of prestige and history, so there will be many that can overlook their rocky past with reliability.
In conclusion, Aston Martin haven’t had the best past when it comes to dependability. There have been a few issues and these issues tend to be expensive to repair and can take a long time to do so. If you want a sports car that is also solidly reliable then you might want to look at getting a Porsche. That said, Aston Martin have improved their reliability recently. And also, if you are looking at an Aston Martin then dependability probably isn’t at the forefront of your mind, and we are sure that if you are looking at Aston Martin, it’s because you want a sports car that drives like a dream and that comes with heaps of prestige and history. Because at the end of the day, Aston Martin still create some of the best cars ever made, and no amount of questionable reliability will change that.
If you would like to see other manufacturer’s reliability then you can explore this here.
Not really sure how you went from ‘Aston Martin owner’s say they are pretty reliable…’ to a paragraph with the title, “Why are Aston Martin’s unreliable”??? Also, a car having to be repaired with parts one can’t find at Auto Zone, does not lend itself to unreliability. That lends itself to exclusivity.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your comment. Aston Martin as a brand has some incredibly loyal owners who overlook the issues that someone new to the brand might not. We were writing the article with a mind to being unbiased and giving a balanced view of the risks and benefits of owning a car that is hand made for the individual.
I’ve had 8 Porsches and replaced 5 of their engines. Now, that’s what I call unreliable. On the other hand, my Aston DB9 Volante has been superb, and I drive it to the south of France each year and use it every week – Great car.
Hi Les,
Thank you for your comment. It sounds as though you’ve had a lot of great times with your DB9. I think that the difference between Aston Martin and Porsche is the availability of the parts required to repair. It’s always good to hear from someone who has had long term experience with the cars we talk about on the website. I am sure that our readers will be interesting to see your insights into both these brands.
Why in your article you put the action against Bentley and Porsche. Why didn’t you mention the Jaguar f type. Which is essentially the same car. Bentley is related to Rolls Royce and BMW. Porsche might be a reliable car to some but most I’ve seen just aren’t as reliable as people might think. Aston Martin had always been a high line sports car that holds its value. Bentley and Porsche has extremely high depreciation. So my question is…. Are Aston Martin’s reliable? I already know they hold value and are one of the best hand built cars. I don’t want another Porsche or Bentley.
Hi Anthony,
Thank you for your comment. When putting this document together we used information that was available at the time from various sources, including insurance and warranty companies, manufacturer information and user reviews.
I have found Aston parts availability to be very good, usually 48 hours from GB if not available immediately from my dealership. The worse problem I have had in 27,000 miles is a flat tire, replaced under road hazard warrantee along with collection to the dealers, also covered by warrantee. Total cost $98 labor to mount and balance new tire. Service has been excellent on my old DB9 and my 2016 Vanquish. Annual service runs about $1,000. Operating cost, other than fuel, are about the same as my Mercedes E400. Fuel is 16 mpg vs 26 mpg, under 150 mph.
Hi,
Thank you for your comment about how easy it is to obtain parts for the Aston in countries outside the UK. I am sure that our readers in the US will find this interesting and informative if they are looking to purchase one of these stunning cars.
Dears
I admire Aston Martin R and also your comments.
Naim
Hi
I have owned Astons since 1998, db7 I did 140k miles in 5 years. Every day use only issue I had was a new gearbox ( manual) at 110k miles.
Vanquish 2003 28k miles in three years, no issues. DBS volante 2011 13k miles minor issues with the roof closing.
Current car 2015 Rapide S done 12k miles from new no isuus, best and easiest car to live with day by day. Of course as others have commented I have access to other vehicles if need be, but for me I love the look and power of this brand and they are bullit proof if serviced and used regularly.
Hi Aiden,
It sounds as though you’ve found your brand and are sticking with it. Astons are stunning pieces of machinery. When we write our reports we take into account multiple sources in order to make it balanced. We are in the process of updating our reliability reports at the moment and we will be looking at this one, and many others in the coming months to ensure that the information we have is valid.
I truly appreciate the comments as I am looking to become an owner of a DB 9 or 11 for my birthday in May 2020. My local dealer in the states has been great in educating me on the brand but hearing from current owners…………….priceless
Hi Phil,
Thank you for your comment regarding our article about Aston Martin reliability. We’re looking at updating these articles to include more recent data and when writing them use data from multiple sources in order to ensure that they are unbiased and informative for people looking to purchase a new vehicle.
This article needs the help of a professional writer. The person who wrote it should be fired, go back to school, and/or pick another profession. That’s all I’m going to say because my time is more valuable than this web page.
Hi Popeye,
Thank you for your feedback. We are currently in the process of reviewing and rewriting older content on the website. It would be helpful to know what you found to be poorly written about the article. The information that is used is gathered from various sources and is relevant to our UK audience.
Thank you for this editorial, I am pleased that I Found it on the net. I have a JAGUAR XKR. looking at the change to Aston Martin DB9 or Rapide. Your editorial is useful and appreciated.
Hi Ian,
Thank you. We write all our editorials so that our readers are informed before they make a decision. We aren’t affiliated to any specific manufacturer so all our content is balanced and informative. If you are looking for a new vehicle, please contact our Vehicle Specialists and they will be able to help you. You can contact them on 01903 223391.
I have both. 2007 Aston Martin Vantage 11,500 miles and a 2013 Jaguar XKR with the S package except for the spoiler. Only 478 built that way. 33,000 miles. Love them both! Just maintain meticulous service by expert mechanics in those fields and all will be fine!
Rob Kaukis 15th July 2020.
Your article was interesting. I am on my third AM, presently DB11 volante. Have had issues with water ingression and causing electrics to fail AM Cambs were very through in fixing, took a week, otherwise car has been a delight. Call me a sucker for owning 3 Aston’s but I love them
Good day,
Will be moving to the Caribbean within the net year or so; maybe Barbados or Trinidad. This brand may be a bit too elite for this region, however, if one were to find itself there, what would be the prospects for maintenance or parts accessibility?
Hi,
Thank you for your comment. We would recommend you look for forums based in Barbados, Trinidad or any of the Caribbean locations you are considering. They will have a more accurate idea of the sort of maintenance/support/accessibility available in the region.
Hi all
I am an Aston owner of many years, having owned DB7, then a vanquish, a DBS and now a Rapide S, all have been used regularly with quite high mileage, mostly under warranty.
They are as reliable as other cars of similar value, much better than Range Rover sport and BMW which I have owned as well. All bought new.
The Rapide is by far the easiest to live with although not as popular as the other coupes in the range.
If the cars are used often and serviced by the main dealers then I have found ownership a pleasure.
Criticism of the brand usually come from people who do not own one or the motoring brigade who have a test drive and feel obliged to offer a critique.
Love British cars with a passion & have always wanted a a 9 or 11 Coupe. Currently have a 77 XJ6C. The only change I would suggest is that the entire group should be built by Toyota.
Hi Al,
Would they still be British cars if they were built by Toyota?
I’m on my 3rd Vantage. I’ve found the quality of the vehicles to be ecxeptional. After 5 years of ownership, I’ve had to take the V12 back 1 time for a problem that was covered by Aston Martin roadside assistance. No issues with the other 2.
In 1971 I had an Aston DBS Vantage,it did 8 miles to the gallon ,and was always going wrong,misfiring.low oil pressure,electric windows not working.At 30,000 miles it was tranported to Astons with low oil pressure,of course they said it needed a new engine,so I told them to tow it to the nearest scrap yard.The oil pressure miraculously returned to normal.I knew things were wrong owning an Aston when the factory changed the timing chain,which was changed again 6 months later by one of their agents.The carbs were rebuilt to try to cure the missfire all to no avail.my feeling then was if you are daft enough to own an Aston then we shall do our best to extract as much money as we can out of you.Why this model is so expensive now is beyond me.
I own a 2012 DB9 with a full AMSH and although the car is phenomenal to drive the constant niggles with new faults appearing every other month is a bit wearing, most faults I’m told are “known” and appear to be common subjects on the AM forums.
Its a stunning car but I just wish that I could get 6 months use without a fault light or something failing.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are sure that many who are looking to purchase an Aston Martin will find your feedback very helpful when they are considering their next vehicle. When you are ready to begin your next vehicle search, contact our Vehicle Specialists on 01903 538835 to secure your new vehicle.
I have a Aston Rapide S i must say as reliability goes it hasn’t given much problem besides the occasional electrical gremlins, my Jaguar xjr gives the same problems with electrical faults! But the feel of driving a car that eats up the tar and always is a head turner is a thrill !!
Hi there Sacha, thank you for sharing your experience with your Aston Martin and Jaguar vehicle. This will be very useful for our reader’s vehicle buying decision.
“If you want a sports car that is also solidly reliable then you might want to look at getting a Porsche”
.. yes, because Porsche haven’t had any class action lawsuits by Porsche owners, because of catastrophic engine failures due to IMS bearing issues, or engine scoring, or electrical gremlins … have they – cough!
Hi there, thank you for sharing your comment and feedback. Although issues with some Porsche vehicles have occured, the brand remains high in the leaderboard for reliable sports cars, especially the 911 model.
DB9 owner living in London. Unlike 911s the Aston Martin is not suitable for London driving. An Emission System fault appears after a week or so if you don’t regularly drive on the motorway. This fault requires a service to clear. The alternative is to drive with the fault light always on. Apparently that’s not good for the engine. Paint bubbles appeared on body of car at 6 yrs despite garage storage overnight. Recent display system ‘software upgrade’ required the entire display system replaced. Recently in garage for second time in a month to investigate inability to start. Key docking station requires replacing. Car returned by Aston Martin with damaged seal due to lack of care during service. Decided to buy a Porsche in an effort to save money.
Hi there Ger, thank you for your comment. While Aston Martin cars offer luxury and style, reliability can vary. Some owners, like yourself, have experienced issues such as emission system faults, paint bubbles, and display system malfunctions. However, it’s worth noting that experiences can vary among owners, and some may have more positive experiences with their Aston Martin vehicles. If you’re still on the hunt for your perfect Porsche, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at 01903 255000. We’re here to help you find the ideal Porsche that meets your needs and preferences.