The DBS V12 is the VH-platform flagship Aston Martin sold from 2007 to 2012. Aston marketed it simply as the 'DBS'; for historic classification the Aston Martin Heritage Trust designates it 'DBS V12' to distinguish it from the six-cylinder DBS of 1967–72 (covered separately at /research/buyers-guides/aston-martin/dbs). It replaced the Vanquish S as the range flagship and was succeeded by the second-generation Vanquish in 2012.
Under the bonnet is Aston's 5,935cc naturally-aspirated V12 — marketed as a '6.0-litre' but actually 5,935cc, worth presenting as a pair — producing 510 bhp / 517 PS at 6,500 rpm and 420 lb.ft / 570 Nm at 5,750 rpm. Top speed is 191 mph and 0–60 mph in 4.3 sec (manual); 183 mph with the Touchtronic 2 automatic offered from late 2008. The car marked several firsts for Aston: the first road-going Aston with carbon-ceramic brakes as standard (398 mm six-pot front, 360 mm four-pot rear), the first with 20-inch wheels, and — after the Vanquish's automated manual — the return of a traditional manual gearbox, a Graziano six-speed.
The car is based on the DB9 and the DBR9 race car on the VH platform, sharing roof, sidescreens and wheelbase with the DB9 but sitting 25 mm lower and 40 mm wider; carbon-fibre body panels saved 30 kg over aluminium. Approximately 2,533 coupés were built to summer 2012 including the Carbon Black, Carbon Edition, Dragon 88 and UB-2010 special editions. The DBS Volante was unveiled at Geneva in March 2009. UK launch price was £161,147; the engine was hand-built in Cologne and the car assembled at Gaydon. The DBS V12 was James Bond's Aston Martin in Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008).
The DBS V12 is the Vanquish-successor flagship of the VH-platform era at Aston Martin — a shorter, wider, lighter DB9 with the marque's first factory carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, the return of a traditional six-speed manual, and Casino Royale / Quantum of Solace Bond film history. As the VH generation matures into modern-classic territory, it sits alongside the One-77 and V12 Zagato as the era's front-engined V12 halo cars.
Variants
Range and production
Variant
Years
Production
Notes
DBS V12 Coupe (manual)
2007–2012
Not separately recorded
The launch specification. 5,935 cc V12, marketed as 6.0-litre, 510 bhp / 517 PS, with the Graziano six-speed manual — the return of a traditional manual gearbox after the Vanquish's automated manual. The first road-going Aston Martin with carbon-ceramic brakes as standard and the first with 20-inch wheels. 191 mph and 0–60 mph in 4.3 sec. Approximately 2,533 coupés were built to summer 2012 across all editions, of which 984 were manual cars.
DBS V12 Coupe (Touchtronic 2 automatic)
2008–2012
Not separately recorded
Optional Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic added from late 2008 at approximately £2,000. Standard from 2012MY with manual available as a no-cost option in rare cases. 183 mph top speed with the automatic (vs 191 mph with the manual).
DBS Volante
2009–2012
Not separately recorded
Convertible body. Unveiled at Geneva, March 2009.
Carbon Black / Carbon Edition / Dragon 88 / UB-2010 special editions
2010–2012
Not separately recorded
Limited special-edition specifications included in the total. Dragon 88 was a 22-car China-market run; UB-2010 an ultra-low-volume design specification. Confirm allocation and delivery documents against Aston Martin Works records for any specific example.
Buyer's Guide
What to look for
Provenance — factory paperwork and service history
Modern Aston Martins live and die on continuous factory service history and dealer-network paperwork. For the DBS V12 specifically, verify the transmission (Graziano manual vs Touchtronic 2 automatic — the manual carries the traditional-gearbox premium), factory carbon-ceramic brake wear and replacement history, and — critically — treat any '572 hp' claim as an error rather than a specification; the factory figure across the model's life is 510 bhp / 517 PS. Confirm chassis number, delivery specification, options and full service book against the authorised dealer portal before pricing.
Drivetrain — 5.9-litre V12
The hand-built 5,935cc naturally aspirated V12 is a specialist service item, and consistent authorised-dealer or marque-specialist history is central to value. Cold-start behaviour and any campaign history are the primary purchase-time diagnostics.
Chassis and body — bonded aluminium and carbon-ceramic brakes
VH-platform bonded-aluminium chassis require authorised body-shop repair; non-factory bonded-aluminium work is priced against that history. Carbon-ceramic brake systems are a factory-only replacement item.
Options, packages and specification
Specification drives value in the modern-Aston market. Carbon-ceramic brakes, lightweight packages, popular colour and trim combinations, and factory-fitted rare options are the material spec-side signals; confirm every claim against the delivery documents.
Ownership
Living with it
Typical mileage
2,000–6,000 miles typical
Service interval
12 months by time or 10,000 miles, whichever first
Annual running cost
$5,000 – $14,000 depending on use and specification
Fuel economy
16–22 mpg
Insurance
Agreed-value modern GT policy with limited mileage and secure storage. VH-platform DBS V12 and DB11-derived DB12 sit in the specialist modern-Aston underwriting tier.
Factory / authorised-dealer servicing
The DBS's hand-built V12 should be serviced through the authorised dealer network or an established Aston Martin specialist. Continuous factory service history is a material value driver.
Carbon-ceramic brakes and electronics
Carbon-ceramic brake systems are standard on DBS V12 and optional on Vantage / DB12; replacement is a factory-only exercise. Verify state of the electronic package, infotainment revisions and any recall / campaign history at the dealer service portal before purchase.
Common Problems
Known issues by system
Provenance
Continuous factory / authorised-dealer service history
CriticalNot applicable — market impact only
Symptoms — Gaps in service book, non-dealer major work, unreconciled options.
Inspection — Authorised dealer service-portal readout and delivery-document cross-check.
Chassis
Bonded-aluminium structural integrity and body-shop history
CriticalNot applicable — market impact only
Symptoms — Evidence of non-factory bonded-aluminium repair, panel mis-alignment.
Inspection — Authorised body-shop inspection with paint-depth gauge and documented repair history.
Inspection — Dealer inspection with campaign history and infotainment revision status.
Auctions
Recent results
Date
Auction
Car
Mileage
Result
2026-05-11
Broad Arrow Auctions
Global Icons: Spring Online Auction
2009 DBS
—
€184,250
Sold
2024-12-12
Bonhams
The Bond Street Sale, Lot 109
2008 DBS
—
£140,875
Sold
2024-10-06
Bonhams
The Zoute Sale, Lot 125
2009 DBS
—
€149,500
Sold
2024-10-06
Bonhams
The Zoute Sale, Lot 164
2010 DBS Volante
—
€112,125
Sold
2024-08-15
RM Sotheby's
Monterey, Lot 208
2010 DBS Volante
—
$120,400
Sold
2024-05-10
Bonhams
The Monaco Sale, Lot 140
2009 DBS
—
€120,750
Sold
2023-07-14
Bonhams
Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lot 224
2012 DBS Ultimate Edition
—
£97,750
Sold
2023-06-18
Bonhams
The Bonmont Sale, Lot 146
2011 DBS 'Ulrich Bez Edition'
—
CHF 115,000
Sold
Investment
Long-term outlook
EmergingHorizon: 10+ years
As the VH-platform Aston V12 flagship of its era, with Casino Royale / Quantum of Solace Bond history and the return of a traditional six-speed manual, the DBS V12 is well-positioned as a modern classic. Manual coupés with continuous factory service history are the natural focus; special-edition allocation (Carbon Black, Carbon Edition, Dragon 88, UB-2010) sits above the general market.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
