2006 Aston Martin Db9 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Aston Martin Db9 passed 90.3% of its 3,215 recorded MOT tests. That is 12.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.4%) and visibility (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 93 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.8% once past 90-120k — 2.9× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.9% 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 | 4.4% | 141 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 73 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 72 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.2% | 71 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 51 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.4% | 45 |
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 | 93 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 62 |
| 3 | Wipers | 51 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 51 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 6 | Washers | 37 |
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 | 14.9% | 479 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 443 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.2% | 168 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.5% | 81 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 75 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 72 |
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 | 979 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,657 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 475 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 17.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 672 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 668 | 9.4% |
| 2023 | 648 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 607 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 620 | 10.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Db9
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2006 Aston Martin Db9s pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 3,215 2006 Aston Martin Db9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Aston Martin Db9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2006 Db9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 17.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,215 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.