2012 Aston Martin Db9 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 406 MOT tests, the 2012 Aston Martin Db9 recorded a 91.4% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (16.2% fail rate), the 2012 Db9 comes out 7.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.5%) and emissions & environmental (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are malfunction indicator lamp, washers and headlamp aim — malfunction indicator lamp alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.0% once past 60-90k — 3.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.0% in 2021 to 9.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 14 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 12 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 10 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.7% | 7 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 11 |
| 2 | Washers | 8 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 4 | Wipers | 6 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 4 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 3 |
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 | 15.8% | 64 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 41 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 18 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 10 |
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 | 172 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 198 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 35 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 82 | 3.7% |
| 2023 | 84 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 81 | 7.4% |
| 2025 | 77 | 9.1% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Db9
On a 2012 Db9, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- 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 2012 Aston Martin Db9s pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 406 2012 Aston Martin Db9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Aston Martin Db9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.0%).
Does the 2012 Db9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 406 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.