2004 Aston Martin Db9 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,418 MOT tests on the 2004 Aston Martin Db9 are in this dataset, and 89.3% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.5% fail rate), the 2004 Db9 comes out 11.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.4%) and brakes (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 37 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 18.9% in the 90-120k band, a 10.5-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 45 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 36 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 32 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.5% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 28 |
| 4 | Washers | 24 |
| 5 | Wipers | 20 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 15.9% | 226 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 191 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 103 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 74 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.9% | 41 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 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 | 284 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 682 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 330 | 11.5% |
| 90-120k | 111 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 290 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 315 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 273 | 8.1% |
| 2024 | 277 | 11.6% |
| 2025 | 263 | 9.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Db9
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2004 Aston Martin Db9s pass their MOT?
89.3% of the 1,418 2004 Aston Martin Db9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Aston Martin Db9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2004 Db9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,418 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.