2006 Aston Martin Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
1,562 MOT tests on the 2006 Aston Martin Vantage are in this dataset, and 92.8% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.0% of the time, so this is 14.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.1%) and visibility (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.4% once past 90-120k — 5.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 9.6% in 2021 to 6.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 48 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.7% | 26 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 22 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.2% | 19 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.0% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 3 | Wipers | 22 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Washers | 16 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 13 |
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 | 12.6% | 196 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 164 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.6% | 87 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.8% | 60 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 41 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 32 |
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 | 346 | 3.5% |
| 30-60k | 753 | 6.2% |
| 60-90k | 408 | 11.0% |
| 90-120k | 38 | 18.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 343 | 9.6% |
| 2022 | 313 | 7.0% |
| 2023 | 312 | 7.4% |
| 2024 | 303 | 5.0% |
| 2025 | 291 | 6.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Vantage
On a 2006 Vantage, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.1% 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.
- Suspension (1.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 Vantages pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 1,562 2006 Aston Martin Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Aston Martin Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2006 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.5% in the 0-30k band to 18.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,562 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.