Aston Martin DB9 buying guide

The first big change came in mid-2006 with the Sport Pack: stiffer springs, a revised front anti-roll bar, revised dampers, a ride height lowered by six millimetres and lighter five-spoke wheels. evo praised it for sharpening steering feel and response without spoiling the car as a tourer, and says about half of DB9s have it. Look at the DB9 Coupe market with that in mind.

The 2009 model year update lifted power from 450bhp to 470bhp, improved the automatic's shifts and added Bilstein dampers with revised suspension arms and bushes. Adaptive dampers arrived on the Premium Sports Pack in early 2010 and became standard later that year. Magneto and Octane both say post-2009 cars bring more power and useful updates that may justify the extra outlay.

The 2012/2013 revision borrowed many parts from the Virage and raised output to 510bhp, with carbon ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers. Carwow singles out a late 2012 car as the one to buy. The DB9 GT followed in 2015 with 540bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.5sec, and a Bond Edition based on it was built for the film Spectre. The 2014 Carbon edition added carbon trim and gloss black wheels. The DB9 GT listings are the place to look for the final cars.

The Volante is mechanically identical to the Coupe and about 100kg heavier, with an electric hood that folds in 17 seconds. Magneto and Octane call it desirable, but few were ordered as manuals. Those two also report that the most wanted cars are the post-2011 limited editions, and that manuals in restrained colors with the Sport Pack command a premium. Volantes for sale are easy enough to compare.

Nothing here is a reason to walk away, but several items are expensive when missed.

Aluminium panel corrosion

Corrosion can set in at the edges of the aluminium panels: wheelarches, doors and bootlid. Bonded body panels are also hard to repair, and few specialists have the skills.

Coil pack failure

Coil packs can fail. A misfire or hesitation under acceleration is the sign, according to Magneto, Octane and evo.

Engine oil leaks

The V12 burns a little oil naturally. A leak is another matter, and Car & Classic says it usually points to abuse.

Gear selector faults

On early automatics an intermittent fault can drop the transmission into neutral when the selector switches earth on the chrome surround. Early automatics were also recalled over parking brake engagement.

Suspension bolts

Recalls on cars built from 2007 to 2009 dealt with bolts in the subframe and the front suspension cam, which could affect the steering. Confirm the work was done.

Electrical gremlins

Tire pressure monitoring, electric seats and the gear selector can all play up. Early Linn audio is unreliable, and the later Alpine system is better.

Clutch wear on manuals

Manual clutches last somewhere between 15,000 and 25,000 miles, depending on which guide you read. Exotic Car List puts a clutch and flywheel job at around $2,000 for labor alone.

Servicing is due every 10,000 miles or annually. Exotic Car List quotes $575 to $1,500 for an annual service, while Carwow reckons on £2,000 a year (a UK figure) and fuel economy of around 15mpg.

Rear tires wear very quickly and brake pads nearly as fast, though the discs are generally durable. A manual clutch is a recurring cost, and replacing one with the flywheel runs around $2,000 for labor alone, says Exotic Car List.

Carwow calls the V12 and the automatic gearbox tough, and says the DB9 is not desperately unreliable but can be expensive to fix. Use our price guide to see what a car should cost before you add the bills above.

Aim for a post-2009 automatic, with a late 2012 car as the one Carwow picks out, and add the Sport Pack if you can. The 2015 GT brought 540bhp. Pick the Volante only if you accept a labor intensive hood to maintain.

Skip cheap cars with thin histories. Insist on a specialist service record, proof that the recall work was done, and a clean underside with no corrosion at the panel edges. If you want a manual, expect to hunt for one.