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Aston Martin DB2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Aston Martin DB2 car check

Is the Aston Martin DB2 reliable? We analysed 858 real MOT tests across 157 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 858 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.7%
Typical Mileage
36,526mi
Annual Mileage
354mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
74yrs

The Aston Martin DB2 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake binding and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Aston Martin DB2.

Aston Martin DB2 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Aston Martin DB2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Aston Martin DB2 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Aston Martin DB2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84.2%
1959
94%
1958
89.2%
1957
92.1%
1955
84.8%
1954
94.5%
1952

Aston Martin DB2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Aston Martin DB2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 23
brake binding 17
parking brake recording little or no effort 11
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 11
Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions 8
Stop lamp not working 7
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 6
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 5

Aston Martin DB2 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Aston Martin DB2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
118 mi/yr
Typical
354 mi/yr
Average
1,363 mi/yr
Heavy usage
922 mi/yr

Aston Martin DB2 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Aston Martin DB2 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1959 76 84.2% 21,539 47,930 79,934
1958 166 94.0% 25,777 52,984 77,854
1957 83 89.2% 11,173 16,461 55,388
1955 63 92.1% 27,190 39,100 41,563
1954 92 84.8% 15,930 27,349 43,123
1952 55 94.5% 9,467 42,148 44,296

How Long Does a Aston Martin DB2 Last?

Based on 157 Aston Martin DB2 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
49.9 years
Median
56.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
74 years

Aston Martin DB2 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Aston Martin DB2 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
36,526 mi
75th Percentile
69,821 mi
95th Percentile
92,093 mi
Max Recorded
962,765 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Aston Martin DB2

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1952

94.5% MOT pass rate from 55 tests

Year to avoid
1959

84.2% MOT pass rate from 76 tests

The best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB2 is 1952, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.5% across 55 tests. The 1959 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Aston Martin DB2 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Aston Martin DB2 THIS CAR 89.7% 858 36,526 mi 74 yrs
Aston Martin DB9 89.4% 83,149 28,217 mi 22 yrs
Aston Martin V8 Vantage 90% 61,949 29,688 mi 21 yrs
Aston Martin DB7 85.1% 55,755 42,831 mi 31 yrs
Renault Clio Extreme 2 16V 70.8% 452 95,283 mi — yrs

Compared to the Aston Martin DB9 (89.4% pass rate) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (90.0% pass rate), the Aston Martin DB2 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Aston Martin DB2?

The Aston Martin DB2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.7% across 858 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Aston Martin DB2 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (23 recorded failures), brake binding (17), and parking brake recording little or no effort (11). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Aston Martin DB2 owner drives around 354 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Aston Martin DB2 models stay on UK roads for around 74 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Aston Martin DB2 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aston Martin DB2 reliable?
Based on 858 MOT tests, the Aston Martin DB2 has a 89.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Aston Martin DB2?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake binding, and parking brake recording little or no effort. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Aston Martin DB2 do per year?
The typical Aston Martin DB2 does around 354 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Aston Martin DB2 last?
Most Aston Martin DB2 models stay on UK roads for around 74 years based on our analysis of 157 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Aston Martin DB2?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Aston Martin DB2?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB2 is 1952 with a 94.5% pass rate across 55 tests.