Aston Martin DB5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Aston Martin DB5 car check
Is the Aston Martin DB5 reliable? We analysed 3,858 real MOT tests across 471 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Aston Martin DB5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Aston Martin DB5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, stop lamp not working and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Aston Martin DB5.
Aston Martin DB5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Aston Martin DB5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Aston Martin DB5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Aston Martin DB5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Aston Martin DB5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Aston Martin DB5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Aston Martin DB5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Aston Martin DB5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Aston Martin DB5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Aston Martin DB5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 174 | 92.0% | 19,833 | 35,116 | 67,557 |
| 1965 | 1,299 | 89.8% | 14,476 | 41,186 | 63,602 |
| 1964 | 1,356 | 89.3% | 13,962 | 35,158 | 66,048 |
| 1963 | 214 | 91.6% | 14,915 | 38,298 | 46,469 |
How Long Does a Aston Martin DB5 Last?
Based on 471 Aston Martin DB5 vehicles on UK roads.
Aston Martin DB5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Aston Martin DB5 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Aston Martin DB5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.0% MOT pass rate from 174 tests
89.3% MOT pass rate from 1,356 tests
The best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB5 is 1966, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.0% across 174 tests. The 1964 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.3% — 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 DB5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin DB5 THIS CAR | 89.5% | 3,858 | 36,543 mi | 63 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 |
| MG Maestro 2.0 Efi | 70.6% | 1,661 | 77,160 mi | 41 yrs |
Compared to the Aston Martin DB9 (89.4% pass rate) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (90.0% pass rate), the Aston Martin DB5 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Aston Martin DB5 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Aston Martin DB5Should you buy a used Aston Martin DB5?
The Aston Martin DB5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.5% across 3,858 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 DB5 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (49 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (46), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (43). 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 DB5 owner drives around 314 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 DB5 models stay on UK roads for around 63 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.