Used buying checklist
Aston Martin Db9 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Aston Martin Db9 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 8.1% of 4,692 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 8.1% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 36,020 miles
- 378 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (11.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ferrule excessively corroded, corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened, and excessively corroded.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ferrule excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- corroded and seriously weakened
- lens slightly defective
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
Focus on corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
The model's recorded failure rate is 8.1%, -10.7 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed4,692 tests
- Median tested mileage36,020 miles
- Failed MOT tests378
Should you buy a used Aston Martin Db9?
91.9% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 8.1%, -10.7 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ferrule excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (11.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Db9, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 8.8% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (11.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Db9, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (11.5 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Aston Martin Db9 mainly involve 4 areas: brakes, mixed recall notices, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Db9, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 3,385 | 3,134 | 6.3%-4.5 percentage points vs all models | 28,800 miles |
| 50-100k | 1,205 | 1,036 | 12.4%-8.3 percentage points vs all models | 62,085 miles |
| 100-150k | 66 | 55 | 16.7%-9.5 percentage points vs all models | 109,743 miles |
| 150-200k | 8 | 6 | 25.0%-2.3 percentage points vs all models | 165,985 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Aston Martin Db9, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 8.8% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 8.8% for 15+ years cars, based on 3,090 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
15 | 15 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 5.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
666 | 619 | 4.7%-12.0 percentage points vs all models | 8.1 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
921 | 840 | 8.0%-15.5 percentage points vs all models | 13.4 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
3,090 | 2,777 | 8.8%-17.1 percentage points vs all models | 17.3 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2017-12-18 | VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY Due to a communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) software and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) the transmission park pawl may not engage. In certain circumstances such as when the park brake is not applied the vehicle may roll away. On affected vehicles update the software for the Transmission Control Module. |
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| 2017-12-18 | MOVEMENT OF SEAT MAY DAMAGE BATTERY SUPPLY CABLE In some circumstances when the right side front seat is operated to its fully reward position the seat runner can compress the battery supply cable and cause the seat to damage the battery supply cable. This may cause an open circuit and/or ground the supply cable which may then overheat. On affected vehicles examine the battery supply cable for damage and install a routing block to ensure that the seat runner cannot compress the battery supply cable. If necessary replace the cable. |
| 2016-04-11 | RISK OF SHORT-CIRCUIT IN BATTERY SUPPLY CABLE On affected vehicles the right fron seat can compress the battery supply cable. Prolonged occurences coulld cause damage to the insulation and the cable may short out Fit new cable guide to reroute supply cable. Check condition of supply cable and where necessary reinforce insulation . In rare instances the cable may require replacement. |
| 2014-12-02 | SEAT MAY OVERHEAT On affected vehicles The control module for the front heated seats mail fail and when the ignition is switched on allow a permanent feed to the heater element(s). In this condition it may not be possible to switch off the heater element and over a period of time this may cause a seat to overheat and smouldering to occur. Occupants will notice an inability to switch the seat heater off using the designated switch and over longer periods a higher than normal temperature of the seat squab. Fit additional seat heater monitoring modules. Where necessary seat elements may also be replaced. |
| 2014-07-16 | INTERMITTENT FAULT WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SWITCHES On affected vehicles the transmission switches have a chrome plating surround. This can interact with the printed circuit board within the switches and create an intermittent earth path to other surrounding parts In the subject vehicles this can cause the transmission to default to neutral without any driver input for gear selection resulting in a loss drive. Replace existing switches with updated version. Brakes and steering are not affected. |
| 2013-05-29 | THROTTLE PEDAL MAY FAIL The throttle pedal may fail resulting in the driver being unable to accelerate or maintain speed. The throttle pedal arm on the affected vehicles is not to specification. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the throttle pedal with one of the correct specification. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Aston Martin Db9. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Aston Martin reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.