2010 Aston Martin Db9 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,022 MOT tests on the 2010 Aston Martin Db9 are in this dataset, and 91.1% of them passed. That is 10.2 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 19.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 5.3% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and tread depth — position lamp alone was recorded 24 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 15.3% versus 7.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.3% in 2021 to 8.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 54 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.1% | 21 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 17 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 6 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 14 |
| 4 | Wipers | 12 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 11 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 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 | Tyres | 15.2% | 155 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 128 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 54 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 48 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 41 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.9% | 30 |
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 | 401 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 512 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 85 | 15.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 223 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 202 | 7.4% |
| 2023 | 208 | 10.6% |
| 2024 | 198 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 191 | 8.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Db9
On a 2010 Db9, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.9% 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 2010 Aston Martin Db9s pass their MOT?
91.1% of the 1,022 2010 Aston Martin Db9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Aston Martin Db9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by tyres (2.1%).
Does the 2010 Db9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 15.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,022 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.