1998 Aston Martin Db7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 839 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Aston Martin Db7, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 88.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (76.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.6% in the 90-120k group versus 9.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 5.8% | 49 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 26 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.7% | 23 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 22 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 19 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.2% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 4 | Wipers | 14 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 11 |
| 6 | Washers | 11 |
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 | 21.2% | 178 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.6% | 89 |
| 3 | Tyres | 10.1% | 85 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 81 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 43 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 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 | 115 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 306 | 7.2% |
| 60-90k | 309 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 182 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 169 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 165 | 11.5% |
| 2024 | 162 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 161 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Db7
Before buying a 1998 Aston Martin Db7, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 5.8% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (5.8% 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.
- 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.
- Suspension (2.7% 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 1998 Aston Martin Db7s pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 839 1998 Aston Martin Db7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Aston Martin Db7?
Brakes, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.1%).
Does the 1998 Db7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 839 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.