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What to check: Aston Martin DB9

Ranked across all years of the Aston Martin DB9, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Nothing above the noise floor for this one.

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Leave the car sitting for a few minutes with everything off, then try a cold start.Struggling to turn over points at the known battery drain issue rather than a dying battery.

Ask when the battery was last changed and whether a trickle charger or CTEK is used.No charger and an old battery means expect a flat one within days of ownership.

Check the seats heat up and, crucially, turn off again.A heater that won't switch off is the fault behind the 2015 seat heater recall; ask for proof the recall was actioned.

On automatics, apply the handbrake, select P, and check the car doesn't creep before you release the footbrake.Any doubt here relates to the park pawl fault covered by the 17V-796 recall; confirm the software update has been done.

Pull the dipstick and check both level and colour, and ask for oil top-up history between services.Low or dark oil on a V12 that's supposedly been serviced on time suggests consumption is being ignored.

Run the stereo and infotainment through every source for a few minutes.Any dropout, blank screen or dead channel on the Linn system usually means full replacement, not a repair.

Inspect inside both headlight units for misting or standing water.Persistent condensation points to the known headlight sealing issue.

Full Aston Martin DB9 reliability report