Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
high- Typically appears
- 30–60k mi
- Estimated repair
- $800 – $1,500
2010 Aston
Martin DBS
5.9L V12
The 2010 Aston Martin DBS is a hand-built British grand tourer sitting at the top of Aston Martin's lineup at the time — above the DB9 and below the limited-run One-77. It's built around a 5.9L naturally aspirated V12 producing 510 hp, mated to a rear-mounted 6-speed automatic transaxle for near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The aluminum and carbon fiber body is assembled by hand at Gaydon, England, and the interior is trimmed in full leather with hand-stitched detail throughout. This is not an everyday driver in any practical sense. Fuel economy is poor, parts are expensive and slow to arrive, and the car demands a specialist for nearly every job beyond the most basic maintenance. That said, for a buyer who understands what they're getting, the DBS rewards with one of the most involving and sonorous driving experiences of its era — the V12 soundtrack alone is a reason to own it. In the Lake Geneva area, this car is likely a fair-weather or seasonal driver. That's probably the right call. Road salt will attack the aluminum subframes and the relatively thin paint over carbon body panels. Budget for proper storage, a battery maintainer, and a specialist shop relationship before you buy.
Reliability
2/5
Engine
[object Object]
Drivetrain
RWD
Fuel
Gasoline
MPG
11 city / 17 hwy / 13 combined
Seats
2
Doors
2
Body
Coupe
MSRP
$265,000
Overview
AI-curatedThe 2010 Aston Martin DBS is a hand-built British grand tourer sitting at the top of Aston Martin's lineup at the time — above the DB9 and below the limited-run One-77. It's built around a 5.9L naturally aspirated V12 producing 510 hp, mated to a rear-mounted 6-speed automatic transaxle for near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The aluminum and carbon fiber body is assembled by hand at Gaydon, England, and the interior is trimmed in full leather with hand-stitched detail throughout. This is not an everyday driver in any practical sense. Fuel economy is poor, parts are expensive and slow to arrive, and the car demands a specialist for nearly every job beyond the most basic maintenance. That said, for a buyer who understands what they're getting, the DBS rewards with one of the most involving and sonorous driving experiences of its era — the V12 soundtrack alone is a reason to own it. In the Lake Geneva area, this car is likely a fair-weather or seasonal driver. That's probably the right call. Road salt will attack the aluminum subframes and the relatively thin paint over carbon body panels. Budget for proper storage, a battery maintainer, and a specialist shop relationship before you buy.
Known for
- Hand-built 5.9L V12 with a distinctive exhaust note
- Aluminum-intensive body with carbon fiber panels — lightweight but corrosion-sensitive
- Rear-mounted Touchtronic 2 transaxle for near 50/50 weight balance
- One of the last pure analog grand tourers before heavy electrification of the segment
Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a weekend and track day car, not a daily driver
- Buyers who already have a reliable daily and want something special
- Owners with access to an Aston-specialist or who are willing to travel to one
- Collectors comfortable with low-volume British car ownership costs
Watch for
- High ownership costs — parts, labor, and specialist access all add up fast
- Wisconsin road salt is aggressive on aluminum suspension and subframe components
- Carbon buildup on intake valves is an ongoing maintenance reality on the V12
- Transmission (Touchtronic 2) is known to develop issues and repairs are costly
- Battery drain is a common issue if the car sits — a maintainer is not optional
Common issues by mileage
6 knownTouchtronic 2 Transmission Faults / Jerky Shifts
high- Typically appears
- 40–70k mi
- Estimated repair
- $1,500 – $4,000
Cooling System Failures (Hoses, Thermostat, Water Pump)
medium- Typically appears
- 50–80k mi
- Estimated repair
- $1,200 – $2,500
Lean Fuel Trim / O2 Sensor Faults
high- Typically appears
- 40–60k mi
- Estimated repair
- $250 – $600
Catalytic Converter Efficiency Loss
medium- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $2,000 – $5,000
Electrical / Body Control Module Malfunctions
medium- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $600 – $2,000
Maintenance schedule
- 1 Every 5,000 miles or 6 months Oil and Filter Change
The 5.9L V12 runs hot and hard. Aston specifies full synthetic; short intervals protect the tight tolerances of this hand-assembled engine and help flush carbon precursors before they bake onto the valves.
- 2 Every 30,000–40,000 miles Walnut Shell Blast / Intake Valve Carbon Cleaning
Direct injection means no fuel wash on the intake valves. Carbon builds up and causes rough idle, lean codes, and misfires. Walnut blasting is the standard fix — budget for it as scheduled maintenance, not a surprise repair.
- 3 Every 2 years / 20,000 miles Brake Fluid Flush
The DBS uses a high-performance brake system with very high operating temps. Moisture-contaminated brake fluid lowers the boiling point and is a safety risk, especially if the car ever sees a track day.
- 4 Every 40,000–50,000 miles Transmission Fluid Change (Touchtronic 2)
Aston's service interval is conservative but the Touchtronic 2 is sensitive to fluid condition. Fresh fluid is cheap insurance against the most expensive repair on this car.
- 5 Every 2 years / 30,000 miles Coolant Flush
Cooling system failures are a known problem on the V12 platform. Degraded coolant accelerates corrosion in the aluminum block and heads. Do not extend this interval.
- 6 Every 5,000–7,500 miles Tire Rotation and Pressure Check
The rear-biased weight and RWD setup cause uneven rear tire wear. These are staggered, performance-spec tires — replacement is expensive, so getting full life out of them matters.
- 7 Any time the car sits longer than 2 weeks Battery Tender / Maintainer When Stored
The DBS has a significant key-off electrical draw from its complex electronics. A dead or sulfated AGM battery is one of the most common issues on cars that sit seasonally — exactly the pattern in Lake Geneva.
- 8 Every 30,000 miles Spark Plug Replacement
The V12 has 12 plugs and access is labor-intensive. Worn plugs contribute to the misfire (P0300) and lean codes commonly seen on this engine. Do all 12 at once and pair it with the valve cleaning service when possible.
Always defer to the manufacturer's service manual for warranty-mandated intervals.
Cost of ownership
Annual maintenance
$3,000 – $8,000
Fuel
Expect 11–13 MPG in mixed driving. At current premium fuel prices (~$3.80–$4.20/gal in Wisconsin), a driver covering 5,000 miles/year will spend roughly $1,500–$2,000 on fuel. Premium (91+ octane) is required.
Insurance
Specialty/agreed-value coverage through a collector car insurer will typically run $1,500–$3,500/year for a limited-mileage policy. Standard auto insurance will be significantly higher. An agreed-value policy is strongly recommended.
This is not a budget ownership proposition. Even in a good year with no unplanned repairs, you should budget $3,000–$5,000 for scheduled maintenance alone. Factor in one mid-range repair (transmission service, valve cleaning, O2 sensors) and you're at $5,000–$8,000 quickly. A single major repair — catalytic converters, gearbox rebuild, cooling system — can run $3,000–$8,000+ on its own. Owners who try to defer maintenance to save money typically end up paying far more. Find a specialist you trust before you buy.
Seasonal care
Lake Geneva, WI Winter
- Do not drive on salted roads. The aluminum subframes, suspension components, and thin underbody protection are not designed for road salt exposure. One Wisconsin winter of regular driving can cause corrosion that costs thousands to address.
- Store with a battery tender connected. The DBS's electronics will drain a standard battery within 2–3 weeks. Use a quality AGM-compatible maintainer for the entire storage period.
- Before storing, fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer. The DBS's fuel system is sensitive to ethanol-blend fuel degradation over a long storage period.
- Check and top up tire pressure before storage, or consider removing and storing tires indoors — cold garage floors and long flat-spots are hard on performance rubber.
- If the car must be driven in winter, wash the underbody thoroughly after every outing and apply a fresh coat of underbody wax/protection at the start of the season.
Summer
- Check tire pressure weekly in summer — the DBS runs performance tires at specific pressures and ambient temperature swings of 30–40°F between night and midday can shift pressure by 4–6 PSI, affecting handling significantly.
- Inspect the cooling system before summer driving begins — hoses, clamps, coolant level, and thermostat. Cooling system failures on the V12 are a known issue and summer heat accelerates any latent weakness.
- After storage, inspect brake pads and rotors before the first drive. Rotors can surface-rust during storage; a few gentle stops will clean them, but inspect for pitting if the car sat for more than 4–5 months.
- Check the A/C system operation early in the season — the DBS's HVAC is complex and refrigerant leaks are not uncommon on aging seals. Catching a low refrigerant situation before a hot weekend is much better than dealing with it then.
Comparable vehicles
2010 Ferrari
599 GTB
Same segment — V12 grand tourer, similar price point, similar 2-seat layout and rear-transaxle concept. Slightly higher performance ceiling but equally demanding ownership proposition.
2010 Bentley
Continental GT
Direct market rival in the GT coupe space. The Continental GT offers a more refined, less driver-focused experience with a W12 or V8 twin-turbo, but comes with better parts availability and dealer network.
2010 Mercedes-Benz
SL65 AMG
Similar price range and performance ambitions with a 6.0L twin-turbo V12. Better dealer support network and parts availability than the Aston, but a different character — more boulevard than canyon.
No catalog match
2010 Porsche
911 Turbo
Lower price point but comparable performance. Vastly better reliability, parts availability, and resale — a rational alternative for buyers who want a serious performance car without exotic ownership costs.