The picture

Db7: a strong MOT record by UK norms

Across 2,158 MOT tests, the Db7 returns 85.5% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is parking brake inoperative on one side. A weak handbrake and a defective wiper blade round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 53,498, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.

ABI Insurance Group

Group 46–50

A high-group car — insurance costs will be significantly above average. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.

Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →

46–50

out of 50

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Top ten reasons for rejection.

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Hide wear items to see the model's real defects.

01

Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view

52 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
02

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

50 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
03

Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement

42 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
04

Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

39 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
05

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

31 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
06

A tyre seriously damaged

28 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
07

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

26 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
08

Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

25 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
09

Wiper blade defective

25 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
10

Warning device shows system malfunction

25 occurrences · 0.6% of tests

Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.

Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures

£20–£160

If every one of this Db7's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →

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Build your own retest budget.

Tools that pre-empt a retest.

Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.

Item 01 · Amazon UK

Headlight restoration kit

Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.

Search Amazon UK

My Motor World · affiliate

Parts & supplies for this fix

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Motor World

Motor World Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2005- Car Floor Mat Set

£32.99

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Click Mechanic · affiliate

Book a mobile mechanic

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Mobile mechanic · UK-wide

Book a mechanic at your door.

Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.

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Recall history

6 UK recalls on record.

The Db7 has 6 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.

See all recalls

Buying or keeping a Db7?

Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.

If you own a Db7 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.