Carbon Ceramic Brake Wear
SeriousBrakesWhile they last a long time, the rotors are incredibly expensive. Pitting or surface degradation means a massive bill is coming.
Est. Repair Cost: £15,000–£20,000 (full set)
Reliability GuideCommon Problems with the
Common Problems with the
2012 Aston Martin DBS
The 2012 model year was the final bow for the DBS, a car that cemented Aston Martin's reputation for building visceral, naturally aspirated V12 supercars. Late production examples are highly prized by collectors for their blend of analogue feel and modern performance.
What changed for 2012
- •Final year of production before being replaced by the second-generation Vanquish.
- •Availability of the 'Carbon Edition' with bespoke paint and trim finishes.
Common MOT watch-outs
- !Emissions failures related to aging coil packs or lambda sensors.
- !Suspension bush wear causing knocking noises or imprecise handling.
3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor
All Known Issues
Door Handle & Timing Cover Issues
ModerateEngineThe DBS is not immune to the standard VH platform faults of sagging handles and oil weeps.
Est. Repair Cost: £3,000–£5,000
V12 Coil Pack and Spark Plug Failure
ModerateEngineThe DBS shares the V12 with the DB9 and is equally prone to coil pack failures caused by heat soak in the engine valley. Replacement requires removing both intake manifolds, making it a labor-intensive job.
Est. Repair Cost: £2,000–£3,500
Buying Tips for 2012 Aston Martin DBS
- ✓Check for structural paint bubbling (osmosis) around the door handles and wing-to-windscreen joints.
- ✓Ensure the battery has been kept on a tender; low voltage causes a cascade of dashboard error messages.