Sports car and convertible · 2003–2018 cars

Aston Martin DB9 reliability

The Aston Martin DB9 fails 9% of first MOT tests, 67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 17,372 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 99/100#7 of 62 sports car and convertibles

Checking a Aston Martin DB9 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 67% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 17,372; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 2,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Aston Martin DB9 ages

Each point is the share of Aston Martin DB9s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Aston Martin DB9All cars

Aston Martin DB9 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Aston Martin DB9	All cars
6	4.7%	19.1%
7	5.5%	22.1%
8	5.6%	25.5%
9	3.6%	28.8%
10	6.9%	31.8%
11	9.1%	34.6%
12	7.2%	37.3%
13	9.9%	39.5%
14	8.5%	41.1%
15	9.6%	42.3%
16	10.9%	42.9%
17	10%	43.4%
18	10.5%	43.5%
19	9.3%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Aston Martin DB9 years

2008 cars come out best and 2007 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Aston Martin DB9 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2016	689	4.5%	65% fewer fails	17,742
2015	821	4.8%	68% fewer fails	19,349
2014	716	4.6%	73% fewer fails	23,471
2013	750	6.8%	65% fewer fails	27,159
2012	332	8.4%	63% fewer fails	33,905
2011	364	8.8%	61% fewer fails	28,237
2010	777	9.4%	64% fewer fails	35,132
2009	927	6.7%	74% fewer fails	32,401
2008 DB9	1,923	8.9%	69% fewer fails	39,335
2007 DB9	2,537	10.2%	65% fewer fails	38,738
2006 DB9	2,270	10%	66% fewer fails	39,067
2005 DB9	4,130	10.3%	68% fewer fails	43,696
2004	967	13.7%	59% fewer fails	48,182

Common problems

What fails most on a Aston Martin DB9

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics3.7%65% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.9%63% below avg
Brakes1.7%72% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%49% below avg
Tyres1.2%73% below avg
Suspension1.2%85% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.3%73% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.3%5% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.3%92% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.03% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
2
Position lamp not working 0.96% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.78% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.75% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Headlamp aim set too low 0.57% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
6
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.41% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
7
Windscreen washers not working 0.35% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
8
Stop lamp not working 0.35% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Aston Martin DB9's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit4.86%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.28%
Brake pads wearing thin2.95%
Shock absorber light oil misting1.72%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy1.68%
Brake disc pitted or scored1.58%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Aston Martin DB9

1
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Aston Martin DB9 covers about 2,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol100%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, Blue, Green, Grey

Average engine size: 5.9 litres.

Compare

How the Aston Martin DB9 compares with its rivals

Aston Martin DB9 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Aston Martin DB9	9%	67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Aston Martin Vantage	6%	65% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi R8	7.7%	63% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda S2000	18.5%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lotus Elise	14.2%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan 350 Z	26.1%	33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MGF	34.1%	about average for its age

Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Aston Martin models.

Questions

Aston Martin DB9 questions, answered

Is the Aston Martin DB9 reliable?

On MOT results, the Aston Martin DB9 is better than average: it fails 9% of first MOT tests, 67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 7 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.

What fails most on a Aston Martin DB9 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Aston Martin DB9 are engine warning light inoperative or lit (1.03% of tests), position lamp not working (0.96% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (0.78% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 3.7% of its tests.

Which Aston Martin DB9 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (69% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2007 cars do worst (65% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Aston Martin DB9 do a year?

A typical Aston Martin DB9 covers about 2,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Aston Martin DB9 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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