Aston Martin DBS Superleggera buying guide

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is a car to buy on its oil pan and timing cover, not its looks. Both are listed as leak points, and a leak left alone can lead to severe engine damage. It was unveiled in 2018 as the flagship that replaced the Vanquish S, and it covers the 2019 to 2023 model years as coupe and Volante.

It uses a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 with 715 hp and 664 lb-ft, sent to the rear wheels through a ZF 8-speed automatic. The platform is the DB11's, though only the doors and glass carry over unchanged. The engine is the DB11 AMR's with electronic changes that add boost, and Aston swapped in a stronger ZF 8HP95 gearbox to cope.

It suits someone who wants a V12 grand tourer and will pay a specialist to look after it. Browse used DBS listings once you know what a good one looks like, or compare with the cheapest DBS listings and Aston Martin vs Ferrari rivals.

Spend on a proper inspection, and work through these points at the viewing. If you are cross-shopping, Aston Martin vs McLaren and Aston Martin vs Lamborghini are worth a look.

• Book a pre-purchase inspection with a reputable shop or authorized dealer before any money moves.
• Look under the engine and around the timing cover for oil weeping, and check the oil pan for wet seams.
• Check beneath the inner bonnet vents, the spark plug cavities and the coil packs for water, and ask whether shields or remedial work were fitted.
• Inspect the carbon-ceramic discs for deep scoring, cracks or glazing, and ask for a disc thickness measurement.
• Arrange to see the engine started from cold, and set aside half an hour or more for the test drive.
• Test the infotainment, Bluetooth, navigation and audio for at least 10 minutes, and look for moisture around the dashboard and A-pillars.
• Ask Aston Martin to check the car's campaigns, including RA-01-1327 and RA-01-1418, and confirm the airbag recalls were completed.
• Check the tires are the specified Pirelli P Zero A7A AM-marked type, and compare rear wear with the front, since the rears wear faster.
• Ask whether the coolant level has needed topping up, and check the reservoir yourself.
• Operate the headlight switch repeatedly and confirm every setting works.

NHTSA holds two recall campaigns for these years, both for airbags. Campaign 19V806000 covers the 2019 DBS Superleggera coupe, where the passenger airbag locking nuts may not be tightened properly. Campaign 20V604000 covers 2019 to 2020 cars, where fasteners holding the front seat airbags may have been fitted loose.

A campaign for a model year does not mean every car was affected. Check the car's VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy. NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for these model years.

Buy a DBS Superleggera if you want a flagship V12 and can fund specialist care and the occasional four-figure repair bill. Carchecker.pro calls the V12 generally reliable, with major mechanical failures uncommon when it is maintained. The 770 Ultimate is the one collectors will want, but it is a different purchase from a standard car.

Skip any car with oil on the engine or water in the plug wells unless the price reflects the repair. Insist on a documented service history, a disc measurement and proof the airbag recalls were done. Check the tires for the right Pirelli marking before you sign.