Used car guide

1995 Aston Martin DB7: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Aston Martin DB7 first registered in 1995: we looked at the 397 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 397 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

397MOTs of 1995 cars, done in 2023–2025
82%pass first time (all 1995 cars: 67%)
2,600typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1995 Aston Martin DB7?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1995 Aston Martin DB7 than on all cars registered in 1995.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Aston Martin DB7
    11.6% All 1995 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.7% of all 1995 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 7.3% here, against 18.4% of all 1995 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 5% here, against 13.8% of all 1995 cars.

Common 1995 Aston Martin DB7 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1995 Aston Martin DB7 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    25% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    16% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    14% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1995 Aston Martin DB7

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1995 Aston Martin DB7 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Aston Martin DB7?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Aston Martin DB7 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004321Tyres 10%
2003645Brakes 12%
2002709Suspension 14%
2001846Suspension 17%
2000816Suspension 13%
1999485Suspension 22%
1998459Suspension 17%
1997521Suspension 18%
1996395Suspension 18%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Aston Martin DB7 cars first registered in 1995. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score