Name: Aston Martin DB11 (2016 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Aston Martin DB11
Rating: 57.0

Summary

The Aston Martin DB11 was a high-performance grand tourer available as both a coupé and convertible (Volante). Part of a long line of DB models, it was replaced by the DB12 coupé in 2023.

The DB11 was available with a V12 or V8 petrol engine, with the V12 coupé also available as a higher-performance model called the DB11 AMR. All models are built in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The Aston Martin DB11 received unanimously positive scores from the UK motoring media, with particular praise for its blend of performance and comfort.

As of January 2025, the Aston Martin DB11 holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 57%. Although it’s a lovely car to drive and earned strong media reviews, its score is weighed down by its high CO₂ emissions and running costs.

More Aston Martin Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

The Car Expert Best of British horizontal banner

Key specifications

Body style: coupe / convertible
Engine: petrol V8 and V12
Price when new: From £154,900 on-road

Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: N/A
Replaced: Summer 2023

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante V8
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The DB11 V8 Volante combines the pleasures of a top-down convertible with the practicality of a long-distance cruiser. It offers an attractive combination of visual appeal, quality and performance to produce an evocative but relaxing driving experience.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V12
Score: 9 / 10
“The Aston Martin DB11 is an old-school grand tourer that blends gorgeous looks with blistering performance and surprising comfort.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante V8
Score: 8 / 10
“Few cars offer the kerb appeal of Aston Martin’s new DB11 Volante. It’s dripping with class and looks stunning from every angle; roof up or down. Reservations over material quality hold it back, however, which is a shame on a car costing this much.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante convertible
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The DB11 Coupe marked a step change for Aston Martin when it was launched in 2015: new looks, new engine, new bodywork, new chassis. The Volante – or convertible – version of the DB11 builds on that success with fantastic looks and Aston’s brilliant V8 engine driving the rear wheels.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé range
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Aston Martin DB11 is a car coveted even by people who have very little interest in driving cars. That’s thanks to its sleek looks, glamourous image, and the intoxicating noise and performance produced by its hugely powerful engines. The V8 is probably the best Aston ever.”
Read review

Car+

Score: 8 / 10
“If you’ll regularly drive around with the roof down, buy it. British drivers probably won’t, though, so think carefully before choosing the Volante over the coupe.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V12
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The stunning Aston Martin DB11 blends gorgeous looks with blistering performance and surprising comfort.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante V8
Score: 7 / 10
“The Aston Martin DB11 is already a great car and it appeals even more in convertible Volante form.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Few modern cars are more opulent and luxurious than the Aston Martin DB11. It’s not the most capable GT on sale, but has its own distinct appeal.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante V8
Score: 8 / 10
“The sweetest DB11 to drive so far, and a chunk more practical than the last Volante, as well.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“A Porsche 911 Turbo will be significantly faster and a Bentley Continental GT is even more luxurious, but the Aston Martin DB11 spans that divide convincingly with a foot in each camp while still feeling distinct in its own way.”
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Is the Aston Martin DB11 the most beautiful car on sale? It’s certainly in with a shout – the DB11 is a near-flawless piece of design. It’s not perfect. The rear seats are cramped, some elements of the interior lack quality, and it’s very expensive. But few cars can match the DB11’s sense of occasion.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Volante
Score: 8 / 10
“Aston’s range-topping GT gets the convertible treatment”
Read review

Model reviewed: Coupe range
Score: 8 / 10
“Though the hardware is well disguised in an interior that still retains the beautiful bespoke feel of an Aston, Mercedes owners would recognise the multimedia interface and circular control wheel that operates it.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V8
“The 4.0-litre V8 beats the 5.2-litre V12 hands down. It’s 115kg lighter for a start, and losing that weight over the front end makes the DB11 sharper and more agile. The turn-in is phenomenal. In short, it’s more of a driver’s car.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V12 AMR
Score: 8 / 10
“A fast British GT just got more attitude.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V12
Score: 8 / 10
“The cockpit is not a place that you will enjoy or savour. And that’s a shame because everything else about this car is absolutely delightful. It’s the best Aston yet. And by a very long way.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante V8
Score: 8 / 10
“The Aston Martin DB11 Volante might not quite have elements like its infotainment or packaging quite right, but on the whole it’s a terrific grand touring cabriolet, and its immense magnetism and raffish character will probably blind you to its flaws.”
Read review

Model reviewed: V12 AMR
Score: 8 / 10
“Even faster than before and with subtle but effective improvements to the handling, this is a better version of the original DB11 V12 in every way. Mind you, it’s also £17,000 more expensive than the car it replaces, so those early owners shouldn’t feel too upset.”
Read review

Model reviewed: V8 coupe
Score: 8 / 10
“Despite the use of an engine shipped in from AMG, this new version of the DB11 is a genuinely great car to drive. It rides well, looks wonderful and is powerful and charismatic. Some will still want the extra cylinders and cachet of the V12, but this is every inch an Aston.”
Read review

Model reviewed: V12 coupe
Score: 8 / 10
“The Aston Martin DB11 is one of the finest grand tourers on sale, with a wicked turn of speed, fabulous styling and a truly premium feel. If all future Astons are set to be as good as this, then the company is in safe hands.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Coupé range
Score: 8 / 10
“Not perfect, but the gorgeous Aston Martin DB11 straddles the worlds of sports cars and GTs in a deeply classy way.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V12 AMR
Score: 8 / 10
“The DB11 AMR marks a significant improvement over the original V12 model, particularly in terms of driver appeal.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 Volante V8
Score: 8 / 10
“The best DB11 so far. Loses little to the V8 Coupé in refinement, better to drive than the V12, and a feast for all the senses.”
Read review

Model reviewed: DB11 coupé V8
Score: 8 / 10
“Lopping four cylinders off the front of the V12 (a figure of speech) shunts the weight distribution rearwards a couple of per cent. The V8 is also 115kg lighter, and benefits from an additional year or so of development over launch V12s.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Aston Martin DB11 was not assessed by Euro NCAP during its production life.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Aston Martin DB11 was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Aston Martin DB11 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the DB11, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	257 g/km	D	257 – 257 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	50	F	50 – 50	F – F

We only have limited data to hand on the Aston Martin DB11, but – based on every other Aston Martin model – we can assume that fuel consumption will be very poor and servicing costs will be very high.

None of these issues are likely to put off any potential customers, of course.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Aston Martin DB11

2020

2019

2018

2017

Date: October 2020
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2016 to 05/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 20
Defect: Certain fixings on the front seat airbag may not have been tightened to the correct torque.
Remedy: Examine the front seat airbag fixings and if necessary secure the fixings.

Date: November 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2017 to 02/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 15
Defect: Vehicles may not have had their passenger airbag fixings tightened to the correct torque specification.
Remedy: Examine the passenger airbag fixings and if necessary secure the fixings.

Date: January 2018
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2015 to 10/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 1,069
Defect: When combined with a damaged steering column control module clock spring and insufficient grounding of the steering column, an electrostatic discharge may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the driver’s airbag. Drivers will be alerted to a potential fault by the airbag warning in the instrument cluster and an additional warning message.
Remedy: On affected vehicles install a contact bridge and a contact spring that will provide a suitable ground for the steering column.

Date: July 2017
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2016 to 06/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 628
Defect: The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on the affected vehicles was calibrated incorrectly and as a result does not illuminate the low tyre pressure warning tell-tale at the required minimum activation pressure.
Remedy: Recalibrate the TPMS on affected vehicles.

As of January 2025, there have been four DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Aston Martin DB11. These cover airbag mountings and tyre pressure monitoring issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Aston Martin dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used DB11, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.