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Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA (1999-2004) reliability

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Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA models built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA
1999-2004CoupePETROL

Based on 1,368 tests of DB7 models registered 1999-2004.

Vantage/GTA fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
18912.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
24012.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
2699.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
30912.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
36115.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

How the DB7 Vantage/GTA compares

At each age below, see how the DB7 Vantage/GTA holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 1,702 tests across 8 Aston Martin models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAston Martin average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
18912.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
24012.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
2699.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
30912.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
36115.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the DB7 Vantage/GTA.

  1. 1

    Jaguar E-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 15.8% for the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA, both built before 2000.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 13.1%, against 15.8% for the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA, both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Jaguar XK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,434 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    MG B GT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%

    No clear edge over the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,331 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

6 recalls in all

4 of the 6 DB7 Vantage/GTA recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • Power assisted steering hose may contact the left hand exhaust manifold and burn through
  • Lighting equipment switchgear concern.
  • Front damper lower mounting bracket may detach

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on DB7 Vantage/GTA cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 134 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
34%
Steering
18%
Emissions
11%
Bodywork
11%

Wear items

Brakes
54%
Lighting
41%
Tyres
28%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 27% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How DB7 Vantage/GTA cars have aged

How DB7 Vantage/GTA cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%1719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 8.7% (92 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (96 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 6.9% (87 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (98 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (102 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (166 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (157 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (146 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (144 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (143 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (201 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (196 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (174 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (173 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (158 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (207 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (211 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (216 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (205 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (189 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 13.4% (202 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (200 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (194 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (188 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 15.3% (177 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (103 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (92 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (87 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (92 tests, 2024 data)1999
First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002First registered around 2001
Vantage/GTA variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Aston Martin DB7 models of this age

This list covers every Aston Martin DB7 built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Vantage/GTA on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    10.2%
    Advisory: 190Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    8.4%
    Advisory: 94Fail: 3 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    7.8%
    Advisory: 119Fail: 4 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    7.2%
    Advisory: 112Fail: 11 (9% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.0%
    Advisory: 104Fail: 25 (19% of the times it was found)

Based on 980 tests

Looking at an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage/GTA (1999-2004) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 361 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,368 MOT tests on Aston Martin DB7 models first registered between 1999-2004. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.