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Aston Martin DB6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Aston Martin DB6 car check

Is the Aston Martin DB6 reliable? We analysed 5,945 real MOT tests across 710 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 5,945 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.3%
Typical Mileage
45,085mi
Annual Mileage
397mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
60yrs

The Aston Martin DB6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and steering rack gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Aston Martin DB6.

Aston Martin DB6 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Aston Martin DB6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Aston Martin DB6 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Aston Martin DB6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.2%
1989
85.2%
1988
87.6%
1971
91.3%
1970
88.4%
1969
88.6%
1968
90.3%
1967
88.2%
1966
89.4%
1965

Aston Martin DB6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Aston Martin DB6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 101
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 74
Steering rack gaiter split 62
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 58
Headlamp aim too high 46
Stop lamp not working 45
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 31
Horn not working 26
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 24
Registration plate lamp not working 24

Aston Martin DB6 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Aston Martin DB6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
143 mi/yr
Typical
397 mi/yr
Average
912 mi/yr
Heavy usage
886 mi/yr

Aston Martin DB6 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Aston Martin DB6 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1989 74 89.2% 7,773 23,856 53,955
1988 81 85.2% 9,221 69,193 75,643
1971 355 87.6% 34,146 54,026 66,304
1970 796 91.3% 18,046 50,139 78,010
1969 767 88.4% 27,058 47,877 73,395
1968 880 88.6% 15,692 44,625 69,597
1967 1,525 90.3% 16,030 38,133 76,254
1966 781 88.2% 19,253 51,033 77,616
1965 66 89.4% 7,843 12,776 93,244

How Long Does a Aston Martin DB6 Last?

Based on 710 Aston Martin DB6 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
46.3 years
Median
50.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
60 years

Aston Martin DB6 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Aston Martin DB6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
45,085 mi
75th Percentile
73,716 mi
95th Percentile
93,456 mi
Max Recorded
174,743 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Aston Martin DB6

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

Best year
1970

91.3% MOT pass rate from 796 tests

Year to avoid
1988

85.2% MOT pass rate from 81 tests

The best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB6 is 1970, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.3% across 796 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.2% — 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 DB6 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Aston Martin DB6 THIS CAR 89.3% 5,945 45,085 mi 60 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
Fiat Rapdio 89% 5,220 19,732 mi 20 yrs

Compared to the Aston Martin DB9 (89.4% pass rate) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (90.0% pass rate), the Aston Martin DB6 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Aston Martin DB6?

The Aston Martin DB6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.3% across 5,945 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 DB6 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (101 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (74), and steering rack gaiter split (62). 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 DB6 owner drives around 397 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 DB6 models stay on UK roads for around 60 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 DB6 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aston Martin DB6 reliable?
Based on 5,945 MOT tests, the Aston Martin DB6 has a 89.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Aston Martin DB6?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and steering rack gaiter split. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Aston Martin DB6 do per year?
The typical Aston Martin DB6 does around 397 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Aston Martin DB6 last?
Most Aston Martin DB6 models stay on UK roads for around 60 years based on our analysis of 710 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Aston Martin DB6?
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 DB6?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB6 is 1970 with a 91.3% pass rate across 796 tests.