Used Aston Martin DB11 for sale: everything you need to know

The Aston Martin DB11 is a car to make you feel special. Naturally, high-end luxury grand tourers like the DB11 aren’t within reach of everyone, but with the DB11 now making way for the DB12, you might be surprised what you can find on the used market, with the earliest DB11s now dropping to the price of some much less prestigious machinery.

Running a DB11 is still unlikely to be cheap, with relatively high fuel and insurance costs, and you’ll need to ensure that any potential purchase has been fastidiously maintained - this is not a car where you want to see evidence of a previous owner’s cost-cutting. But buy well and few cars will make you feel quite so good.

When new the DB11 was compared to cars like the Ferrari FF and GTC4 Lusso, but on the used market you’re equally likely to see it rubbing shoulders with high-end BMWs and Mercedes, the Lexus LC500, and the Ferrari California and Portofino.

Should you buy an Aston Martin DB11?

For some enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like an Aston Martin. While previous Gran Turismo-building rivals like Ferrari have moved more towards corner-carving sports cars over the last few decades, Aston Martin has largely stuck to what it does best: building elegant, classy GTs that make light work of covering huge distances, and don’t shout too loudly about their status.

When the DB11 arrived in 2016 it didn’t have an easy job, following on from the Aston Martin DB9 - not just one of the prettiest cars Aston Martin has ever made, but among the most elegant full stop. The DB11’s styling arguably didn’t quite reach those highs, but it attempted to make up for it in other ways, such as a twin-turbocharged V12 with stronger performance than the old naturally-aspirated engine.

It also undoubtedly benefited from the involvement of Daimler and its Mercedes and AMG brands, which brought some of Aston’s weaker areas, such as infotainment technology, into the modern era - and supplied the twin-turbo V8 that followed on from the V12.

The way the DB11 drives belies its size and weight, feeling surprising agile and just about riding with the refinement you’d hope for from a GT. The lighter V8 unsurprisingly handles even better but both make long trips a pleasure, both for the journey and at the destination - and the V8, V12, and V12 AMR all have mighty performance.

The DB11 was often pitched against cars like the Ferrari FF and GTC4 Lusso when new, though the Aston’s quicker depreciation means for a given budget, earlier models now overlap more with cars like the Ferrari California, as well as GTs from other brands, such as the striking Lexus LC500 or the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. You’d be hard-pressed to match the DB11’s image though - perhaps only the older DB9 can do that.

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What’s the best used Aston Martin DB11 model to buy?

Once you’ve decided on the entirely personal choice of closed-roof coupe or open-topped Volante, the main decision with the DB11 is in the engine bay. While there’s nothing quite like a V12, and the DB11’s is a fine example of the breed, the reality is that the V8 doesn’t notably lack performance against its more powerful sibling, loses more than 100kg over the nose for keener handling, and the AMG-derived unit still sounds fantastic in its own right. That said, if you find a V8 and a V12 in similar specification with only a minimal difference in price, we’d forgive you for choosing the latter…

Used Aston Martin DB11 fuel economy and performance

• Aston Martin DB11 V8: The V8 arrived in 2017. The 4-litre twin-turbo powerplant was developed by Mercedes-AMG and made 510PS, with a 4-second 0-62mph time. Combined economy was better, at 28.5mpg.
• Aston Martin DB11 V12: The original DB11 engine was a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, making 608PS and delivering its power through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. 0-62mph took 3.7 seconds and economy was a surprising (for a V12 at least) 24.8mpg.
• Aston Martin DB11 V12 AMR: The most powerful V12 model debuted in 2018 and produced 639PS. 0-62mph was down to 3.5 seconds, with claimed economy of the same 24.8mpg.

What used Aston Martin DB11 trim levels are available?

Like many high-end performance and luxury cars there was no defined trim level hierarchy with the DB11, so the biggest differences you’ll find between models depend on what you find under the bonnet - with further differences down to the individual tastes of the original buyer, given a long list of options and personalisation to choose from.

• The Aston Martin DB11 came with all the features you’d expect from a car in this segment, including LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels (as a bare minimum), a Mercedes-derived infotainment display (using a rotary controller on the centre console), TFT driver instruments, and leather trim on virtually every surface. AMR models got more aggressive exterior styling with carbonfibre aerodynamic elements.

Used Aston Martin DB11 dimensions and boot size

The Aston Martin DB11’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4739mm
• Width: 2060mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1279mm

The Aston Martin DB11’s boot size is:

• 270 litres

Used Aston Martin DB11 road tax

To the surprise of very few of you, an Aston Martin DB11 registered prior to tax changes in April 2017 falls into the highest CO2 band, currently attracting a VED or ‘road tax’ bill of £695 per year. And after this date it attracts the highest rate too, at £570 per year, though cars of more than six years old drop down to a lower rate of £180. Still, tax is unlikely to be one of the higher costs of DB11 ownership.

How much is it to insure an Aston Martin DB11?

While Aston Martin didn’t publish figures, it’s likely you’ll find the DB11 in the very top insurance group 50. Actual quotes will vary significantly depending on your personal circumstances and the model itself, and if you’re in the market for a DB11, you’re probably used to slightly higher premiums than the average buyer anyway…

Read our full Aston Martin DB11 review