The Aston Martin V12 is a compact car built from 1995 to 2026 over 2 generations. Between 2011 and 2023 it grew 13 cm longer and gained 165 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the V12 is
The Aston Martin V12 is a compact car that Aston Martin built from 1995 to 2026 — 32 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2023. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Aston Martin range: Vanquish, DB12, DB9.
V12 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the V12's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the V12 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2017 | 438 cm | 260 cm | 1630 kg | - | - |
| 2023 | 451 cm | 270 cm | 1795 kg | +13 cm | +165 kg |
Between 2011 and 2023 the V12 gained 13 cm in length (+3.0%) and 165 kg in weight (+10.1%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the V12 that is 165 kg against 13 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Aston Martin V12 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment V12 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Aston Martin V12 have? Power & range
The Aston Martin V12 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.2L 12-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Aston Martin V12, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.2L · 12-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The V12 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Aston Martin V12. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | V12 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 7 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Aston Martin V12?
The V12 is a compact car, built from 1995 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the V12 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2023. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the V12 grew 13 cm longer and gained 165 kg.
What is the Aston Martin V12 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the V12 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific V12?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Aston Martin
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin Vantage | 1981–2026 | 5 | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin Valkyrie | — | 2 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin Vanquish | 2001–2026 | 10 | 16 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin DB12 | 2024–2026 | 4 | 17 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin DBX | 2021–2026 | 14 | 17 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Aston Martin DB9 | 2005–2016 | 43 | 15 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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