CarVerify

Aston Martin DB9 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Aston Martin DB9 car check

Is the Aston Martin DB9 reliable? We analysed 83,149 real MOT tests across 5,749 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Aston Martin DB9? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 83,149 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.4%
Typical Mileage
28,217mi
Annual Mileage
1,403mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Aston Martin DB9 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and coil spring broken. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Aston Martin DB9.

Aston Martin DB9 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Aston Martin DB9. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Aston Martin DB9 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Aston Martin DB9 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

95%
2017
95%
2016
94.5%
2015
91.9%
2014
91.7%
2013
90%
2012
91.1%
2011
88.5%
2010
90.2%
2009
89.3%
2008
89.7%
2007
88.6%
2006
88.7%
2005
87.6%
2004

Aston Martin DB9 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Aston Martin DB9 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

position lamp(s) not working 649
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 560
coil spring broken 293
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 291
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 290
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 282
Headlamp aim too low 266

Aston Martin DB9 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Aston Martin DB9 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235

Aston Martin DB9 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Aston Martin DB9 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
581 mi/yr
Typical
1,403 mi/yr
Average
2,250 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,874 mi/yr

Aston Martin DB9 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Aston Martin DB9 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 260 95.0% 4,936 8,792 14,842
2016 1,348 95.0% 8,230 14,104 20,868
2015 1,894 94.5% 8,364 15,457 24,643
2014 1,824 91.9% 11,368 18,642 27,600
2013 2,004 91.7% 12,324 19,806 30,150
2012 961 90.0% 15,944 25,645 38,417
2011 1,245 91.1% 12,952 22,151 34,682
2010 3,064 88.5% 17,044 26,297 37,827
2009 3,940 90.2% 15,003 25,354 38,057
2008 8,710 89.3% 17,313 28,041 42,335
2007 13,314 89.7% 16,773 28,357 41,639
2006 13,164 88.6% 17,748 28,995 43,838
2005 24,221 88.7% 19,332 31,752 47,666
2004 6,669 87.6% 21,082 34,926 51,897

How Long Does a Aston Martin DB9 Last?

Based on 5,749 Aston Martin DB9 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.8 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
22 years

Aston Martin DB9 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Aston Martin DB9 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
28,217 mi
75th Percentile
43,210 mi
95th Percentile
71,504 mi
Max Recorded
787,264 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Aston Martin DB9

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

Best year
2016

95.0% MOT pass rate from 1,348 tests

Year to avoid
2004

87.6% MOT pass rate from 6,669 tests

The best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB9 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.0% across 1,348 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.6% — 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 DB9 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Aston Martin DB9 THIS CAR 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
Aston Martin Vantage 91.8% 50,565 20,344 mi 39 yrs
Toyota Camry 74.1% 91,186 101,591 mi 39 yrs

Compared to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (90.0% pass rate) and the Aston Martin DB7 (85.1% pass rate), the Aston Martin DB9 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

Found a Aston Martin DB9 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 DB9

Should you buy a used Aston Martin DB9?

The Aston Martin DB9 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.4% across 83,149 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 DB9 are position lamp(s) not working (649 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (560), and coil spring broken (293). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Aston Martin DB9 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Aston Martin DB9 owner drives around 1,403 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 DB9 models stay on UK roads for around 22 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 DB9 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aston Martin DB9 reliable?
Based on 83,149 MOT tests, the Aston Martin DB9 has a 89.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Aston Martin DB9?
The most common MOT failures are position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and coil spring broken. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Aston Martin DB9 do per year?
The typical Aston Martin DB9 does around 1,403 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Aston Martin DB9 last?
Most Aston Martin DB9 models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 5,749 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Aston Martin DB9?
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 DB9?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Aston Martin DB9 is 2016 with a 95.0% pass rate across 1,348 tests.