Aston Martin Db9 MOT Failures
An analysis of 39,557 real DVSA MOT tests on the Aston Martin Db9 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: DB9 (2003–2016).
Where the Aston Martin Db9 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Aston Martin Db9 is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 98 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 39,557 MOT tests, 1.18% of all Aston Martin Db9 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include brake hoses perished or damaged (6.7x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (38x the fleet average), cable damaged or knotted (7.0x the fleet average), and light unit fault (6.9x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Aston Martin Db9's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Aston Martin Db9 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Aston Martin Db9 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component corrosion (DB9) Dangerous
MOT data shows DB9 models fail at 97.9 times the national fleet average for suspension component corrosion, with the problem worsening year-on-year. Affects DB9.
Sportshift Clutch Wear Major
The Sportshift automated manual transmission uses a single-plate dry clutch with electro-hydraulic actuation. Affects DB9.
Coil Pack Failure Major
The V12 engine uses twelve individual coil packs, one per cylinder. Affects DB9; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Rear Shock Absorber Leak Major
Rear shock absorbers on DB9 models are prone to seal failure and oil leakage, confirmed by MOT data showing 4.8 times the national average failure rate for shock absorber defects. Affects DB9; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£2,000.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Aston Martin Db9 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Aston Martin Db9
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Aston Martin Db9:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged, cable damaged or knotted, abs fault. Bodywork — check for seat mounting fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component corrosion and sportshift clutch wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Aston Martin Db9 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Aston Martin Db9?
Based on 39,557 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 98x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include brake hoses perished or damaged and seat mounting fault.
Is the Aston Martin Db9 reliable based on MOT data?
The Aston Martin Db9 has 6 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include anti-roll bar links worn, brake hoses perished or damaged, seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Aston Martin Db9's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.