2006 Aston Martin DB9 Volante

This particular DB9 is a pre-facelift, 2007-registered Volante which has covered only 60,000 miles during its lifetime, and has enjoyed a thorough mechanical assessment, which shortly followed the vendor’s lockdown purchase of the vehicle in June 2020. 

Following the purchase of the vehicle, our vendor shipped the car to their trusted mechanic, with instructions to address anything that was required. The result was a series of general minor recommissionings due to the vehicle having been in heated dry long-term storage. Numerous parts were stripped down and replaced, along with all the necessary miscellaneous rubber seals and caps.

The only more material issue arising was a wiring fail with the roof. The roof system was extensively checked over and a control module replaced by Aston Martin Bristol (invoice below) but otherwise there was very little in the way of non-consumable parts and work required. 

Having been thoroughly assessed, the car joined the vendor’s modest car collection, though it has - they admit - spent the majority of its time in the current ownership sat in the garage, hence the reluctant sale simply due to the vehicle not being used to its full extent.

Ever the specialists at creating a gorgeous, yet understated design, Aston were onto another winner with the DB9, and this example still manages to turn plenty of heads to this day.

This example is in very good condition indeed, no doubt aided by long periods of time spent away from other road users, salt, grit and other hazards posed to regularly used vehicles.

The bodywork is in excellent shape, with no sign of any dents, dings or impact damage that we could see, and no major marks or scratches, save for a couple of deep gouges to the lower front splitter area, likely as a result of a mis-judged speed bump or high kerb at some point in the car’s past. 

All four wheels are in great shape and free from major kerb rash, whilst the folding soft-top is also excellent and shows no sign of any rips, tears or damage, with only a few creases presenting themselves which would likely minimise with regular use. 

Being super picky - as we always try to be - there was some condensation inside the front lights following the car’s valeting, and - when folded - the soft-top mechanism has a missing cover on the nearside, just behind the passenger side seating area, though this didn’t affect the operation of the roof and can be easily replaced.

Black leather is a timeless choice when speccing any high-end GT or supercar, and this DB9 Volante is no exception, with the interior still looking remarkably fresh to this day.

The front seats show only some light commensurate wear - such as creasing and minor scuffing - whilst the rear seats appear to have been barely used, though there is a lower trim panel on the nearside rear passenger seat that often detaches itself during driving, as seen in the photographs below, though this is likely remedial with a couple of new trim clips. 

High-traffic areas such as the door cards are also in excellent shape, with only some minor usage patina and marks. The steering wheel, shifter paddles and centre console are in great condition, and overall the interior presents fantastically for a car of this age and mileage.

As far as we could tell, there were no faults with any of the interior systems, though it should be noted that there is a warning light on the dashboard, stating the rear brake pads are low. This was highlighted as the only advisory for the MOT and this light apparently only illuminated on collection day from our vendor, and as such has not been addressed, though our vendor has been told it is not a particularly time or labour-intensive task.

Let’s not beat around the bush here. Whilst the styling and cabin are wonderful and impressively timeless, the main reason for purchasing this DB9 is sat underneath the bonnet. That gorgeous naturally-aspirated V12 engine.

Boy oh boy, does she sing.

Turn the key, press the starter and listen to the glorious V12 engine clear its throat with a rousing howl, before settling into a steady idle befitting of such a powerful beast.

Out on the road, the car drives absolutely fantastically in our experience, with quick gear shifts, no hesitation when pulling away from junctions or decelerating, and no untoward noises or behaviour that we noted.

Looking at the engine itself, there is little on show thanks to the various covers fitted to the car for beautification purposes, but we can see no sign of any oil or fluid leaks from our inspection.

Clearly, we’re on the right lines, as the most recent MoT exam - dated 07 October 2021 - shows a pass on the first attempt, with the only point raised being the advisories for worn brake pads all round.

Looking at the chassis, the car looks remarkably clean and in great condition underneath, with no sign of any concerning corrosion or marks that we can see, though there are plentiful photographs in the gallery below for you to take a look for yourself.

Judging by the paperwork included with the car, this DB9 has enjoyed significant expenditure in the vendor’s care, with numerous invoices from recent years amounting to over £2,000 worth of work above and beyond the works of their mechanics who has comprehensively reviewed the car including a complete internal strip down to reach the roof module.

Highlights of this include several invoices from Aston Martin Bristol, including the aforementioned roof module investigation and repair work, and also other documentation relating to servicing, the Aston Martin owners manual and service record, and the V5 showing six formers.

There is also two sets of keys, two fobs and a full vehicle health check sheet, with only the following items noted as needing attention:

• Both front and rear brake pads
• Brake calliper Flexi pipes
• Door, bonnet and boot rams
• Radiator has expanded at bottom, flagged as requiring replacement.
• Engine front cover noted as being oily (though this did not seem the case during our photo shoot.)
• Gearbox cooler has a minor leak
• One horn tone is inoperable.
• Air-conditioning system needs re-gassing
• Heated mirrors and front screen not operating correctly.
• OSR and NSR tyre need checking.

Working with the vendor's mechanic, apparently Aston Martin advised that none of this work was needed for day-to-day operation and only if returning the car to concourse condition. The vendors mechanic ad completed all other works necessary. Whilst in our vendor’s care, the car has been covered in a purpose built garage, and whilst in long-term storage during the previous owner’s tenure, the car was kept dry-stored and heated.

The service record show a stamp for September 2019 as the most recent work, though there is also a more recent note for an ‘oil change’ in the following box, but no date or any further details of the work. Oil changes and other works were completed, as above, more recently by the vendors mechanic.

Effortlessly stylish, sleek and yet able to show a clean pair of heels to almost anything it encounters on the road, and delivering a soul-stirring soundtrack in the process, it’s not hard to see the appeal of this gorgeous V12-powered DB9 Volante.

Benefitting from comprehensive recent works by an expert mechanic to do all essential works this is a genuinely usable and enjoyable example of the drop-top GT car that the next owner can choose to enjoy as Aston intended, keep for sunny days or use sparingly, whichever takes their fancy.

So, what do we reckon? Well, the soundtrack alone is priceless, but we estimate a value for this DB9 Volante in the region of £27,000 to £33,000.

Go on, you know you want to!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.