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Buying guide · 2024 onUpdated

Aston Martin DB12 buying guide

The DB12 is a fast V8 grand tourer whose early cars had software, fuel and engine faults, plus an oil cooler hose recall that every buyer should see closed.

The DB12 as a used buy

Any used Aston Martin DB12 needs proof that the oil cooler hose recall has been carried out. The recall covers cars built up to July 2024 and concerns hoses at risk of rupture, which can mean oil loss and engine stall or seizure. Get that answered before you look at anything else.

The DB12 replaced the DB11 as Aston's core front-engined V8 grand tourer. It was unveiled in May 2023, first deliveries came in Q3 2023, and the Volante convertible followed that August. Power comes from a hand-assembled Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 rated at 671 bhp, sent through a rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic. Top speed is 202 mph, and 0-60 mph takes 3.5 seconds.

The V12 option of the DB11 is gone. If you are cross-shopping, we also compare Aston Martin against Ferrari and against McLaren. PistonHeads' used buying guide calls the DB12 sharper than the DB11, but adds that early cars had plenty of issues.

DB12 years and versions

We track the DB12 Coupe and the DB12 Convertible, which is the Volante. Each has its own page: DB12 Coupe listings and DB12 Convertible listings. For the wider market, see used DB12s for sale. Around 80% of the car is new against the DB11, and it was the first Aston to wear the winged logo.

Specification counts. Car Collector International names carbon-ceramic brakes, lightweight packages and popular color and trim combinations as the main signals for value. The carbon-ceramics (400 mm front, 360 mm rear) were offered across Aston's core GT range for the first time on this car.

Build date matters for the recall, which covers DB12s built up to July 2024, and PistonHeads describes the early cars as the problem ones. The sources do not say whether later cars have been free of those faults, so check any car's record rather than assuming.

The DB12 S, revealed in October 2025 at about 690 bhp and billed as Aston's fastest four-seater, is the newest variant. The sources we read give only its launch details, with nothing yet on its faults or running costs.

DB12 versions for sale now

Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history.

Version Model years For sale Median price
DB12 Coupe 2024-2026 29 $230,988
DB12 Convertible 2024-2026 9 $271,676

Common DB12 problems

The DB12 is new enough that the fault list comes mostly from early cars and the recall record.

Oil cooler hose recall

Hoses at risk of rupture can cause oil loss and engine stall or seizure. The cause is uneven inner wall thickness from the extrusion process, which leaves weak spots. A split shows as oil level and pressure warnings on the dash and possibly smoke from the engine bay.

Software bugs

Early cars suffered a fair share of problems, many apparently down to buggy software, according to PistonHeads. Exhaust and Individual mode settings and some driver aids would not hold and had to be set again every time the car was started. Infotainment glitches were usually cured by an over-the-air update or a dealer flash under warranty, Carlyle says.

Limp mode

Limp modes capping speed at 15 mph could arrive without warning and clear on restart. Ask whether the car you are viewing has ever done this.

Rough running on one bank

Some engines ran badly on one bank of cylinders, reportedly because of faulty injectors. Dealers have fitted new injectors and plugs under warranty.

Fuel pressure

Fuel pumps have gone in under warranty to cure a perceived shortage of fuel pressure. Look for pump work in the service record.

Coolant leaks

Coolant leaks are one to watch as cars leave warranty. Carlyle puts the repair at $1,500 to $3,500 at 30,000 to 70,000 miles.

What to check on a used DB12

Start with the paperwork, then the car.

  • Ask Aston Martin to confirm by VIN that the oil cooler hose recall work was done, and whether the car was repaired under the earlier hose recall, which the newer one includes.
  • Ask for the full authorized-dealer service history, since the V8 needs dealer maintenance to keep warranty and value intact.
  • Verify the chassis number, delivery specification, options and service book against the dealer portal.
  • Listen for rough running on a cold start, and watch for any irregular boost.
  • Ask about campaign history on the V8, including injector, spark plug and fuel pump replacements.
  • Cycle through the drive modes and driver-assistance settings, then restart to see whether they hold.
  • Confirm the car has carbon-ceramic brakes and look at the condition of the discs.
  • Check the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tires for even wear.
  • Ask for body-shop history, because the bonded-aluminum structure needs authorized repair.

DB12 running costs

Kelley Blue Book lists servicing at 10,000-mile or 12-month intervals, with an oil and filter change and a 131-point inspection. Brake and clutch fluids and the cabin filter are due at 20,000 miles, and the engine air filter and drive belt at 30,000.

Carlyle estimates service costs at $800 to $1,500 at 10,000 miles, $1,500 to $2,700 at 20,000, $1,000 to $1,900 at 30,000 and $2,500 to $5,000 at 40,000. It puts front tire and brake wear at $1,500 to $6,000 from about 10,000 miles, and says carbon-ceramic disc replacement is very costly.

The warranty is 3 years with unlimited mileage, with an extended warranty offered after that. PistonHeads says early cars came with five years of free servicing, so paying for it starts in 2028 at the earliest. Check what a given car still has, and see our price guide for market values or how much an Aston Martin costs in general.

DB12 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the DB12. The first, for 2024 to 2025 cars, covers an engine oil cooler hose that may split in operation, causing loss of oil and oil pressure. The second, also 2024 to 2025, covers a rearview camera image that the infotainment home screen menu may obstruct in reverse.

As of 31 October 2026, NHTSA holds no owner complaints for these model years. A campaign filed for a model year doesn't mean every car was affected, so check the car's VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup.

NHTSA recalls for the DB12

Every recall campaign the carmaker filed with NHTSA for the 2024 to 2027 model years, newest first, as of Oct 31, 2026. Not every car of a listed year was affected: check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign Reported Model years Component What can happen
25V001000 Jan 3, 2025 2024 to 2025 Back over prevention An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
24V712000 Sep 24, 2024 2024 to 2025 Engine and engine cooling A sudden loss of oil and oil pressure could lead to the engine stalling or seizing, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Best DB12 deals right now

10 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $20,819. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one.

Unlock all 10 deals

Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email.

DB12 prices by model year

Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range.

DB12 price guide
  1. 2026 $311,233 4 for sale · $289,045 to $361,192 · median 550 mi
  2. 2025 Aston Martin DB12 for sale $260,050 11 for sale · $237,349 to $285,912 · median 1,646 mi
  3. 2024 Aston Martin DB12 for sale $229,900 23 for sale · $180,224 to $265,000 · median 4,763 mi

DB12 fair values by trim and year

Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason.

Trim Model year Fair value Typical miles
V8 2026 $286,379 800
V8 2025 $254,185 1,500
V8 2024 $227,880 3,500
Volante 2026 $307,932 700
Volante 2025 $274,228 1,600
Volante 2024 $250,173 2,700
V8 Coupe 2025 $266,119 200
Coupe 2025 $244,324 3,800
V8 Coupe RWD 2025 $260,358 500

DB12 for sale now

Every used DB12

Our verdict

Buy a DB12 only with the oil hose recall proven closed and a full dealer history, and look for carbon-ceramic brakes, which Car Collector International lists among the signs of a strong spec. Treat any early car as a car with a history to read, since PistonHeads says they had plenty of issues.

Skip any car with unexplained limp-mode episodes, vague injector or fuel pump history, or no record of the hose work. Get the open-campaign status from Aston Martin before you pay, and the camera software recall too.

Sources

We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026.

  1. Aston Martin DB12 buyers guide: what to look for Car Collector International
  2. Aston Martin DB12 | PH Used Buying Guide PistonHeads
  3. Aston Martin Recalls V8-Powered Vantage, DB12, DBX707 Over Engine Oil Cooler Hose Failure autoevolution
  4. Aston Martin DB12 maintenance schedule, costs & known repairs Carlyle
  5. Aston Martin DB12 Recall R/2024/356: Oil cooler hoses Vehicle Recall Check
  6. Aston Martin Vantage, DB12 And DBX Recalled Over Faulty Oil Lines Carscoops
  7. 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Service Schedules & Maintenance Pricing Kelley Blue Book
  8. Recalls and owner complaints for the DB12 NHTSA

Latest Aston Martin DB12 news

All car news

DB12: common questions

What is the best DB12 to buy?

Find a DB12 with the oil cooler hose recall proven closed, a full dealer service history and carbon-ceramic brakes. Cars built up to July 2024 fall under the hose recall. PistonHeads says early cars had plenty of issues.

What goes wrong with the DB12?

The main problems reported are early-car software bugs, poor running on one bank of cylinders, fuel pump replacements and limp-mode episodes. An oil cooler hose recall covers cars built up to July 2024. Carlyle also flags coolant leaks as warranty ends.

Is the DB12 reliable?

The sources we read give no single verdict on reliability, but they do record problems. PistonHeads says early cars had plenty of issues, and NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns, one for the oil cooler hose, though it holds no owner complaints as of October 2026.

How much does it cost to run a DB12?

Carlyle estimates services at $800 to $1,500 at 10,000 miles, rising to $2,500 to $5,000 at 40,000. Front tire and brake wear is put at $1,500 to $6,000 from about 10,000 miles. Carbon-ceramic disc replacement is very costly.

How much is a used DB12?

Asking prices for the 38 cars we track for sale right now run from $180,224 to $361,192, with a median of $239,894. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit.

Has the DB12 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns filed for the 2024 to 2027 model years as of Oct 31, 2026, the latest for back over prevention. Not every car was affected, so check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls.