However the cars failed at the Sebring 12 hours, the Mille Miglia, Le Mans and the Tourist Trophy.

By 1956 the design was starting to show its age and Astons were putting their resources into the development of the new DBR1 but the DB3S still finished 4th at Sebring and 5th at the Nurburging 1000 km to finish 4th in the championship together with another second at Le Mans in the hands of Moss/Collins although due to the change of regulations following the 1955 disaster this latter event was a non championship race.

The DBR1 now took over as Astons main sports racer, but there was one last swan song for the DB3S in the hands of the Whitehead brothers at Le Mans in 1958 with a second place after all the works DBR1s failed to finish.

The car won the 2013 Gran Turismo Trophy at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

In 1994 a recreation car was assembled from original spare parts at Aston Service Dorset.