1996 Aston Martin Db7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 719 MOT tests analysed for the 1996 Aston Martin Db7, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 87.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (76.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 16.9% in the 90-120k group versus 8.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.5% | 32 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.6% | 26 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 14 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.3% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 15 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 4 | Washers | 14 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 6 | Wipers | 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 | Suspension | 20.4% | 147 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.9% | 71 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.7% | 70 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 60 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 37 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 33 |
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 | 62 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 259 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 298 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 16.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 136 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 153 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 154 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 150 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 126 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Db7
Before buying a 1996 Aston Martin Db7, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 4.5% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (4.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (3.6% 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.
- 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.
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 1996 Aston Martin Db7s pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 719 1996 Aston Martin Db7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Aston Martin Db7?
Brakes, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by suspension (3.6%).
Does the 1996 Db7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 16.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 719 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.