2009 Aston Martin Db9 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Aston Martin Db9 passed 93.5% of its 1,209 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (20.3% fail rate), the 2009 Db9 comes out 13.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.6%) and visibility (1.3%) 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 29 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Db9 fails 5.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.4% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 44 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.3% | 16 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 14 |
| 4 | Tyres | 0.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 7 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 13 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 10 |
| 5 | Wipers | 9 |
| 6 | Washers | 7 |
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 | 11.7% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.3% | 88 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.9% | 35 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 25 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.1% | 25 |
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 | 517 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 547 | 6.8% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 9.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 251 | 6.8% |
| 2022 | 253 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 233 | 6.0% |
| 2024 | 241 | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 231 | 6.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Db9
On a 2009 Db9, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Visibility (1.3% 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 (1.2% 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 2009 Aston Martin Db9s pass their MOT?
93.5% of the 1,209 2009 Aston Martin Db9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Aston Martin Db9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by visibility (1.3%).
Does the 2009 Db9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 9.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,209 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.