The Aston Martin DB9 is one of the most desired British GTs ever produced. The V12 engine, stylish design, and luxury interior make it a good purchase on the used market.
But the purchase of an ‘older’ DB9 is about more than the miles and the appearance.
The age, service history, previous repairs, and quality of essential mechanical systems have a big impact on ownership costs. Some of the problems are rather basic; others can grow pretty expensive if you don’t take care of them.
What Are the Most Common Aston Martin DB9 Problems?
You have to look over all these:
- Suspension wear
- Electrical problems
- Cooling system problems
- Transmission issues
- Engine oil leaks
- Brake wear
- Air conditioning problems
- Battery and charging issues
- Corrosion and previous body repairs
A nicely kept DB9 can still be a gratifying car to own. The biggest danger is purchasing a car with neglected maintenance and concealed flaws.
1. Suspension Handling and Wear Issues
The DB9’s suspension is a critical ingredient in the mix of comfort and handling. Suspension parts, however, might wear out as the car gets older.
Warning indicators are:
- Knocks or clunks over bumps
- Uneven tyre wear
- Loose steering
- Excessive body movement
- Poor wheel alignment
- Strange vibration
During an inspection, bushes, ball joints, control arms, mounts, springs and dampers should be checked.
It is not only the low mileage that makes the suspension not great. Age and storage circumstances also have an influence on the performance of rubber components and other suspension parts.
Buyer tip: Take the car over different road surfaces and listen for unusual noises. The DB9 should feel controlled and stable rather than loose or unsettled.
2. Electrical and Electronic Faults
The DB9 has lots of electronic systems, and ageing electrical issues can be frustrating and expensive to diagnose.
Possible symptoms are:
- Warning lights on the dashboard
- Power-window problems
- Central locking problems
- Battery drainage
- Interior electrical failures
- Intermittent warning messages
- Accessory failures
A poor battery or charging-system malfunction can produce various unrelated electrical symptoms.
Test all important electrical operations before you buy, that add windows, locks, lights, climate controls, dashboard functions, and other cabin devices.
If you take this to an expert, you can check all the roots that you may not be able to find with just a test drive.
3. Problems with the Cooling System
The DB9’s V12 engine generates more heat; therefore, the cooling system demands special mention.
Look for:
- Coolant loss
- Coolant smell
- Visible leaks
- Temperature variation
- Fan operation overcooling
- Overheating
- Warning messages
Every single thing that is connected to a cooling system is meant to be checked. You start with a radiator, then hoses, thermostat, water pump, expansion tank, cooling fans, and all other things. Nothing to leave.
You never know if there is a leak, and that small leak might cost a fortune. If you notice that the temp is going higher, then you have to flag it and get it checked.
4. Gearbox Issues, Automatic
A healthy DB9 gearbox is smooth and predictable in its gear shifts.
Warning indicators are:
- Delayed engagement
- Harsh shifting
- Hesitation
- Slipping
- Strange sounds
- Difficulty selecting gears
- Transmission warning messages
Check it both times, when the transmission is cold and after you run it for a while.
Do not forget to add this to your list that you have to check for sure. Things like low-speed shifts, acceleration, reverse, and gear engagement should be checked.
Ask the seller for servicing records of the gearbox. Repeated hard or delayed shifts should never be tolerated, even if the car still drives.
5. Engine Oil Leaks
Oil leaks are another area worth checking carefully on an older DB9.
Look underneath the vehicle and around the engine for:
- Oil residue
- Wet areas
- Leaking seals or gaskets
- Scent of burning oil
- Low oil levels
- Evidence of previous repairs
An engine leak doesn’t automatically mean you’ve got a big problem. But the source must be constantly acknowledged.
The repair expenses can vary quite a bit depending on the location and severity of the leak. A simple seal change is light-years apart from a job that requires substantial work.
6. Brake and Brake-System Wear
The DB9’s powerful V12 engine requires a braking system capable of bringing the car to a controlled stop. Brake components should therefore be inspected carefully.
Watch for:
- Brake vibration
- Steering-wheel shake
- Squealing
- Grinding
- Excessive pedal travel
- Pulling during braking
- Brake warning lights
Brake wear is not necessarily a reason to reject a DB9 because these are normal maintenance items. However, if the brakes are close to replacement, include the expected cost in your purchase budget.
7. Breakdown of HVAC & Air-Conditioning
A luxury grand touring car needs a well-working climate control system, but as the car ages, flaws can develop in the HVAC components.
Test:
- Maximum cooling
- Maximum heating
- Different fan speeds
- Different air vents
- Temperature adjustment
- Recirculation
- Compressor operation
If the compressor isn’t cooling well, it doesn’t necessarily mean the compressor is bad. Other causes for comparable symptoms could be refrigerant leakage, electrical problems, sensors, controllers, or other components.
Don’t just test for a few seconds; let the system run for several minutes.
8. Battery and Charging Systems
Battery health is easy to ignore when buying a used DB9, but a poor battery can cause many electrical symptoms.
Warning indicators are:
- Slow engine cranking
- Difficult starting
- Multiple dashboard warnings
- Electrical glitches
- Repeated flat batteries
- Battery warning lights
Check the alternator and charging system.
Replacing the battery will not address the root problem if the battery keeps dying.
Note it down to ask the life of a battery, and when was the last time it was changed; this will also tell you a lot of things that you must know.
9. Corrosion, Bodywork and Previous Repairs
A DB9 might seem good on the outside and have had past accident repairs or corrosion.
Inspect:
- Panel gaps
- Paint consistency
- Door and bonnet alignment
- Paint bubbling
- Corrosion
- Underbody condition
- Overspray
- Damaged trim
Different paint shades or inconsistent panel gaps can indicate previous repairs.
A professional paint-depth inspection can help identify repainted panels, while an underbody inspection can reveal problems that are difficult to spot from outside.
Previous accident damage does not automatically make a DB9 a bad purchase. The important issue is whether repairs were carried out properly.
What Should You Check Before Buying a Used Aston Martin DB9?
A proper pre-purchase inspection should cover the entire vehicle.
Mechanical
- Engine starting and idle
- Oil leaks
- Coolant leaks
- Engine temperature
- Transmission operation
- Strange sounds
Steering & suspension
- Dampers
- Bushes
- Ball joints
- Control arms
- Steering components
- Tyre wear
Brakes
- Pads
- Discs
- Calipers
- Brake fluid
- Pedal feel
Electrical
- Battery
- Alternator
- Warning lights
- Diagnostic fault codes
- Windows and locks
- Interior electronics
Body
- Paintwork
- Panel alignment
- Corrosion
- Accident repairs
- Underbody condition
Documentation
- Service history
- Repair invoices
- Previous maintenance
- Vehicle history
- Previous ownership records
Should You Buy an Aston Martin DB9 with High Mileage?
Mileage shouldn’t be the only reason to buy or not buy a DB9.
A car with more miles on it but with full maintenance records can be a better buy than an under-mileage automobile that has been neglected or kept for long periods of time.
Look at the big picture:
- Service history
- Maintenance quality
- Previous repairs
- Storage conditions
- Suspension condition
- Cooling-system health
- Transmission operation
- Electrical condition
Is the Aston Martin DB9 Expensive to Maintain?
It is not some ordinary car that you are thinking of buying; it comes out as a very nice-performing car.
You can easily keep it nicely with the routine schedule of servicing your car. But postponed maintenance expenditures can pile up fast.
Take a DB9 that requires brake work, suspension parts, cooling system repairs, electrical diagnosis, and overdue service. That can easily run more than you thought you were paying for originally.
That is why a professional inspection is so crucial.
Should you buy an Aston Martin DB9?
It is contingent upon the problem and general condition of the car.
If it may be worth thinking about:
- The problem has been correctly diagnosed
- Repair costs are known
- The purchase price reflects the issue
- Service history is strong
- No major drivetrain problems are present
- An independent inspection is satisfactory
Be wary or walk away if:
- Seller will not permit inspection
- Warning lights have no explanation
- Service history is missing
- The engine has overheating problems
- Transmission behaviour is abnormal
- Serious structural damage is suspected
- Several expensive systems have unresolved faults
The best DB9 is not usually the cheapest DB9. An example that is well-maintained and has a recorded history can offer far superior long-term value.
Conclusion
The Aston Martin DB9 can still be an excellent used grand tourer, but buyers should look beyond mileage and styling. Suspension, electrical, cooling, transmission, brake, HVAC, battery, and bodywork issues should all be checked before purchase.
A full inspection and review of the service history might detect possible issues prior to purchase. Aston Martin Parts Direct’s research capability can also help owners find acceptable replacement components, including Aston Martin OEM parts, to ensure proper fitment and specifications.
Ultimately, the best DB9 is the one with a good maintenance history, a clean inspection, and few outstanding issues.