2009 Aston Martin Vantage — MOT failures & pass rate
801 MOT tests on the 2009 Aston Martin Vantage are in this dataset, and 94.0% of them passed. That is 14.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.3%) and visibility (1.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 15 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.4% once past 60-90k — 3.4× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 9.9% 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 | 3.3% | 26 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.8% | 14 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.0% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 6 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 4 |
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 | 15 |
| 2 | Wipers | 12 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 10 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 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 | 9.9% | 79 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.4% | 51 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.5% | 20 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.1% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 15 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 13 |
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 | 370 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 362 | 5.3% |
| 60-90k | 67 | 16.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 7.2% |
| 2022 | 156 | 5.1% |
| 2023 | 157 | 1.9% |
| 2024 | 161 | 7.4% |
| 2025 | 160 | 8.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Vantage
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 3.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (3.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.8% 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.
- Tyres (1.0% 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.
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 Vantages pass their MOT?
94.0% of the 801 2009 Aston Martin Vantage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Aston Martin Vantage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by visibility (1.8%).
Does the 2009 Vantage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 16.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 801 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.