The Aston Martin V8 spans 1981–1989 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 9 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Aston Martin V8 — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Aston Martin V8 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1989 across multiple generations.
How to read a Aston Martin V8 VIN — every digit explained
Every Aston Martin V8 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Aston Martin and the country it was built in (real Aston Martin codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this V8.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- UKSCF · SD7
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. The whole position-by-position breakdown — year codes 2001–2026, country codes, stamping locations — lives in our VIN decoder tool.
How many recalls does the Aston Martin V8 have?
The Aston Martin V8 has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1989. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Aston Martin V8
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Aston Martin V8 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Aston Martin V8 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Aston Martin V8 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Aston Martin V8 specifications & dimensions
The 1981 Aston Martin V8 measures 189″ long on a 103″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,103 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Aston Martin V8 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 189″ | 72″ | 52″ | 103″ | 4,103 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Aston Martin V8 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the V8 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 87 cu ft of passenger volume and 9 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Aston Martin V8 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 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 MPG does the Aston Martin V8 get?
The Aston Martin V8 returns up to 9 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $6,900/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1989 Aston Martin V8 (5.3L 8-cyl) gets 9 mpg combined and costs about $6,900/yr to fuel, emitting 987 g/mi CO₂ — about $23,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 V8 | 8 | 10 | $6,900 | 987 | — | 5.3L 8-cyl | |
| 1988 V8 | 8 | 10 | $6,900 | 987 | — | 5.3L 8-cyl | |
| 1987 V8 | 8 | 10 | $6,900 | 987 | — | 5.3L 8-cyl | |
| 1985 V8 | 7 | 9 | $7,800 | 1,111 | — | 5.3L 8-cyl | |
| 1984 V8 | 8 | 10 | $6,900 | 987 | — | 5.3L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the V8 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this V8's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Aston Martin V8 have? Power & range
The Aston Martin V8 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.3L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.3L · 8-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | RWD | Regular |
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.
How much does a Aston Martin V8 cost to own?
A Aston Martin V8 depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this V8 loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $34,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the V8 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Aston Martin V8 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the V8 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a Aston Martin V8 last?
A well-maintained Aston Martin V8 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Aston Martin V8’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this V8’s VIN free →All Aston Martin V8 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Aston Martin V8 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1988 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1987 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1985 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1983 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1982 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1981 V8 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the V8?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Aston Martin V8.
How many recalls does the V8 have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1989. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Aston Martin recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the V8 get?
Up to 9 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a V8 last?
A well-maintained V8 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the V8 reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Aston Martin V8 — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Aston Martin V8 warranty?
New Aston Martin models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Aston Martin dealer.
Where is the Aston Martin V8 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your V8's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Aston Martin may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the V8 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.