2005 Aston Martin Db9 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Aston Martin Db9 passed 91.2% of its 5,554 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.3% of the time, so this is 13.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.5%) and brakes (2.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 137 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 18.8% versus 6.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 249 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.0% | 112 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.0% | 109 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 106 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 90 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.3% | 72 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 137 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 106 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 91 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 79 |
| 5 | Wipers | 76 |
| 6 | Washers | 57 |
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 | 12.9% | 715 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 693 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.5% | 250 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 197 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.1% | 119 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 99 |
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 | 1,405 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,827 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,134 | 13.0% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 11.3% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,177 | 9.2% |
| 2022 | 1,125 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 1,136 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 1,073 | 8.8% |
| 2025 | 1,043 | 8.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Db9
On a 2005 Db9, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.0% 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 (2.0% 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 2005 Aston Martin Db9s pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 5,554 2005 Aston Martin Db9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Aston Martin Db9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by brakes (2.0%).
Does the 2005 Db9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,554 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.