Buying blind is how you overpay. Don’t decide alone.
Send this to whoever’s advising you: your mechanic, the PPI shop, the friend who’s owned three of these.
A hand-built GT with a naturally aspirated V12 and gorgeous aluminum VH-platform body, priced now like a used luxury car but with supercar upkeep. The money goes into the automated-manual clutch (early cars), suspension bushings, electronics, and any deferred maintenance from prior owners who couldn't afford it.
AI-drafted profile
This failure-mode list was drafted by AI and cross-checked against this car’s real NHTSA complaint data. It has not yet been verified against real invoices, and it deliberately shows no cost figures: we never publish a dollar amount we can’t source. Own one? Your cost submissions below are what turn this into a verified teardown.
The financial roadmap
from 37,000 mi · 12k mi/yr
What should happen, when, and what it should cost. Paste the car's service records when running a report and this adjusts for what's already done.
Factory warranties expired; every repair below is on you · terms approximated from model year; verify in-service date
Year 137k → 49k mi+5 unpriced~$6,478›
Fuel (EPA + DOE)$4,680published federal figures
Tires (set of four)$550-$1,325baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
12V battery$165-$400baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Four-wheel alignment$150-$225baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Wipers, bulbs, small consumables$70-$175baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Touchtronic clutch wearcost pendingAI-drafted, cost pending verification
Ignition coil and misfire issuescost pendingAI-drafted, cost pending verification
Fuel system and tank issuescost pendingAI-drafted, cost pending verification
Cooling system and thermostat failurescost pendingAI-drafted, cost pending verification
Front suspension bushing and wishbone wearcost pendingAI-drafted, cost pending verification
Year 249k → 61k mi~$7,034›
Fuel (EPA + DOE)$4,680published federal figures
Front brake pads and rotors$375-$775baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Rear brake pads and rotors$365-$755baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Transmission fluid service$230-$550baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Coolant service$180-$315baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Brake fluid flush$140-$230baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Engine air + cabin filters$75-$185baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Year 361k → 73k mi~$5,126›
Fuel (EPA + DOE)$4,680published federal figures
Accessory / serpentine belt$100-$260baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Year 473k → 85k mi~$5,632›
Fuel (EPA + DOE)$4,680published federal figures
Spark plugs$160-$575baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Four-wheel alignment$150-$225baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Engine air + cabin filters$75-$185baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Year 585k → 97k mi~$7,269›
Fuel (EPA + DOE)$4,680published federal figures
Shocks / struts (age-driven)$750-$1,650baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Tires (set of four)$550-$1,325baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Brake fluid flush$140-$230baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
Oil and filter service$85-$180baseline schedule (typical parts + BLS labor)
5-year total: ~$31,500full range $28,475-$34,585
Probability-weighted estimate, not a quote and not a substitute for a PPI. Baseline schedule items are priced from typical parts ranges and BLS labor data for a mainstream car; known failure modes carry their own provenance. Confidence: typical.
The ownership timeline
this car: 37,000 mi
When things typically happen, in miles. Click a row for the detail.
Bands are typical windows, not predictions. Steel rows are federal complaint clusters (25th-75th percentile of owner-reported failure mileage, median marked). Condition-driven items don’t appear here: inspect for those regardless.
What this car is known for
tap a row for the detail
Touchtronic clutch wearLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Shudder on takeoff, slipping under load, or jerky low-speed shifts.
The 2007 auto uses a single clutch behind a torque-converter-less setup on some builds and a conventional ZF auto on others; the automated-manual variants eat clutches, especially with city driving.
Typical window: 20k-50k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Ignition coil and misfire issuesLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Rough idle, check engine light, or a stumble under acceleration.
The V12 runs twelve coils that degrade with age and heat; matches the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING complaints. Neglected cars often have multiple failing coils.
Typical window: 30k-80k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Battery drain and electronic gremlinsLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Dead battery after sitting, glass ECU key not reading, or flaky dash modules.
These cars hate sitting; parasitic draws and module quirks are endemic, and the ECU/immobilizer can strand you.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Fuel system and tank issuesLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Hard starts, fuel smell, or fuel gauge inaccuracy.
NHTSA logged fuel system and gasoline complaints for this year; aging pumps and sender units are known trouble spots.
Typical window: 30k-80k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Cooling system and thermostat failuresComing upcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Rising temps in traffic, coolant loss, or expansion tank cracks.
The dense V12 engine bay stresses hoses, the water pump, and plastic components; grounds the engine cooling complaints.
Typical window: 40k-90k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Front suspension bushing and wishbone wearComing upcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Clunks over bumps, vague steering, or uneven tire wear.
Aluminum control arms with rubber bushings wear and are often replaced as complete arms, not cheap on a V12 GT.
Typical window: 40k-80k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
PPI checklist
AI-drafted for this chassis. Hand it to your inspector.
- 01Cold-start and drive to check the Touchtronic for shudder, slip, or harsh engagement at low speed
- 02Scan all modules for stored codes, not just engine; check for misfire counts across all twelve cylinders
- 03Inspect the coolant expansion tank, hoses, and radiator for weeping and check temp behavior at idle in gear
- 04Confirm both master ECU keys are present and read correctly (glass keys are expensive to replace)
- 05Jack the front and check control arm bushings and ball joints for play and cracking
- 06Check the battery age and ask about a trickle charger; test for parasitic drain after sitting
- 07Inspect underbody and sills for accident repair to the aluminum structure (grounds the STRUCTURE complaint)
- 08Verify the front clamshell and panel gaps line up, and check for prior bonded-panel repairs
Ask the seller
- ·Has the clutch been replaced, and if so at what mileage and by whom?
- ·Do you have both keys and a full service history from an Aston specialist?
- ·Has the car been on a battery maintainer, and how often is it driven?
- ·Any cooling system, coil, or fuel system work done recently?
What owners reported to NHTSA
4 owner complaints and 3 recalls on file for the 2007 ASTON MARTIN DB9 (public federal data).
3 recalls. Verify completion with a VIN check
- 17V795000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2005-2009 DB9, and DBS vehicles. The battery supply cable on these vehicles may become damaged when the driver seat is positioned in the full rearward location.
- 14V753000 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heate
- 10V449000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
ASTON MARTIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 DB9 COUPE, DB9 VOLANTE, V8 VANTAGE COUPE, V8 VANTAGE ROADSTER, AND DBS COUPE VEHICLES. THE FRONT BOTTOM SUSPENSION ARM CAM BOLT COULD CRACK ALONG ITS SHANK ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO MOVE.
30 manufacturer service bulletins on file with NHTSA for this model year.
EQUIPMENT (17) · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2) · ENGINE (2) · EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)
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