Used car buying guide: Aston Martin DBS

The first DBSs were coupés with a manual gearbox, two seats and a parcel shelf. A 2+2 cabin was an expensive (£11,000) and rarely requested option. The last manual car was produced in 2011. The six-speed Touchtronic II automatic variant arrived in 2008 and had a 2+2 interior as standard. It was the bigger seller but today it’s the rare manual variant that commands the higher prices. A Volante convertible version landed in 2009 but enthusiasts prefer the coupé. 

Notable specials include the popular Carbon Black Touchtronic of 2010 (unique paint and wheels, and carbon fascia and sill covers) and in 2012 a final hurrah, the Ultimate edition. Just 59 of those were made and in 2017 a dealer was offering one for £175,000. Frankly, you’d be better off buying the pick of the range, a 2009 manual in Quantum Silver and with a B&O sound system for around £85,000. Just don’t join any card games.

An expert’s view 

Mike Beighton, managing director, Fisher Performance: “We’re all former Aston-trained technicians and main dealer sales people so we know the cars inside out. The DBS thrives on preventative maintenance, which is why we set such store behind one having full service history, with work performed by main dealers or reputable specialists. An example: the diffs need a fluid change every four years. Some non-specialists don’t know that or they may even be encouraged not to bother. We see DBSs in the workshop that haven’t had their fluid changed for eight years, and when you drain it out, it looks like it. Believe me, the cost of a diff and DBS parts in general is such that you don’t want to replace anything other than consumables if you can avoid it.” 

Buyer beware 

â–  Engine: On early cars, listen for the inlet manifold ‘breathing’. The engine note appears to rise and fall but the revs are unaffected. Later cars got a reinforced manifold. Some rarely used cars develop sump gasket leaks. 

â–  Transmission: On early manuals, listen for the clutch ‘squawking’ during low-speed manoeuvres. It’s a fault of the pad material. On Touchtronic autos, check that the selection buttons work positively. Early cars can mis-select, triggering a warning light that a system reset will fix temporarily. Aston can reflash the electronics of affected cars to cure it. 

â–  Brakes: Check the 12 bolts securing the discs to the carrier. They can shear off due to overheating, allowing the disc to ‘wobble’ slightly. It is possible to source new bolts through a Brembo agent. Otherwise, it’s £12,000 for new front discs and pads. If the car isn’t used on track days, a set should last at least 70,000 miles. 

â–  Suspension: The Bilstein shock absorbers can leak. It’s caused by dirt working past the top seal. Later cars have a double seal.

â–  Body: Check for paint blistering around the door handles caused by water getting underneath. If not treated, it’ll spread. On the Volante, water can cripple the motorised hood latches (very expensive) so check they work. Look for water behind the fuel filler flap that can drain into the boot or into the tank. Also worth knowing Aston Martin’s Timeless approved used scheme covers cars up to 10 years old with a 12-month warranty. At the time of writing, the cheapest DBS on its books was a 2010-reg auto coupé with 95,000 miles, advertised for £58,500. 

How much to spend 

£55,000-£74,999: Launch to 2010 autos, many with about 40,000 miles and mainly coupés. 

£75,000-£79,999: Lower-mileage cars (around 30,000 miles), mostly coupés of 2011 vintage. Includes a rare manual – a 2008 coupé with 60,000 miles for £79,995. 

£80,000-£89,999: Premium-spec cars in the best colours and a smattering of manuals among the automatics. Mainly 2011-12 coupés. 

£90,000-£99,995: Some more late-plate convertibles plus a rare 2+2 manual coupé – a 2009-reg with 40,000 miles for £99,995.

One we found

DBS Touchtronic Coupé, 2010/10-reg, 38k miles, £69,995: Full Aston Martin service history and finished in Quantum Silver. It also has 1000W B&O sound system and 20in 10-spoke alloy wheels. The car sits on new Pirelli P Zeros all round and has new coil packs and plugs worth £3000.

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