1996 Aston Martin Db7 — MOT failures & pass rate
719 MOT tests on the 1996 Aston Martin Db7 are in this dataset, and 87.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 24.6% of the time, so this is 12.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (4.5%) and suspension (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 18 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 0-30k band and 16.9% in the 90-120k band, a 8.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 20.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.2% in 2021 to 7.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.5% | 32 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.6% | 26 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 14 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.3% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 15 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 4 | Washers | 14 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 6 | Wipers | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.4% | 147 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.9% | 71 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.7% | 70 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 60 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 37 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 33 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 62 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 259 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 298 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 16.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 136 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 153 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 154 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 150 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 126 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Db7
On a 1996 Db7, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (4.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (3.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1996 Aston Martin Db7s pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 719 1996 Aston Martin Db7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Aston Martin Db7?
Brakes, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by suspension (3.6%).
Does the 1996 Db7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 16.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 719 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.