Home/Car check/Aston Martin/Vanquish

Aston Martin Vanquish car check

Find out if a Vanquish has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£81,89419 at dealers
MOT failure rate
8.9%6k tests
Known problems
6across MkI to MkIII
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Vanquish are you looking at?

Each Vanquish generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.

  1. Brake hose and line corrosion

    Safety and MOT risk MkI, MkII, MkIII

    MOT data shows brake line corrosion occurring at 3.8 times the fleet average, with the trend worsening. This affects both rigid brake pipes and flexible hoses, with ferrule corrosion being particularly problematic. The Vanquish's aluminium construction may create galvanic corrosion where steel brake components connect. The high-performance braking system operates at elevated pressures, making any line weakness potentially dangerous.

    What to check: Examine all visible brake lines along the chassis and behind each wheel for surface corrosion, particularly at joints and ferrules (the metal crimped connections). Look for orange/brown rust staining. Check flexible brake hoses for cracking, bulging, or weeping fluid. Pay attention to where rubbe...

  2. Suspension joint dust cover failure

    Wear item MkI, MkII, MkIII

    Ball joint and suspension arm dust covers on the Vanquish deteriorate significantly faster than the fleet average, with MOT data showing failure rates 16.2 times higher than typical cars in the 20-40k mile range. These rubber boots protect the ball joints from dirt and water ingress. The deterioration appears linked to the low-profile suspension design and aggressive wheel alignment settings that stress the joints. Failure to replace torn covers leads to accelerated joint wear and expensive suspension component replacement.

    What to check: Examine all visible ball joint dust covers around the front suspension with a torch. Look for splits, tears, or missing sections of the rubber boot. Pay particular attention to the lower ball joints and track rod ends. Check for grease leakage around joints - fresh grease on the outside indicates...

  3. Steering rack gaiter deterioration

    Wear item MkI, MkII, MkIII

    The steering rack gaiter (protective rubber boot covering the steering rack) fails at 14.8 times the fleet average rate, particularly on low-mileage cars under 20,000 miles. This premature failure suggests a design or material issue rather than normal wear. The gaiter protects the steering rack from road dirt and moisture. Aston Martin uses a complex variable-ratio steering system that may stress the gaiter during full lock manoeuvres.

    What to check: With the wheels straight, look directly at both ends of the steering rack visible behind the front wheels. Examine the concertina-style rubber gaiters for splits, tears, or oil contamination. Turn the steering wheel to full lock in each direction and re-examine the gaiters for stress cracking or ...

  4. Parking brake efficiency

    Safety and MOT risk MkI, MkII, MkIII

    Parking brake efficiency drops below MOT requirements at 6 times the fleet average rate in the 20-40k mile range. The Vanquish uses a conventional handbrake system with cables and rear brake integration. Cable stretch, adjuster wear, and rear brake pad contamination from infrequent use contribute to reduced holding force. The heavy weight of the car requires optimal parking brake adjustment to pass MOT efficiency tests.

    What to check: Pull the handbrake lever and count the clicks - it should engage firmly within 3-7 clicks. More than 8 clicks indicates adjustment needed. Check the handbrake lever for excessive free play before engagement begins. Look under the car for visible cable stretch or fraying where accessible.

  5. Infotainment system glitches

    Wear item MkI, MkII, MkIII

    The touchscreen infotainment system across all Vanquish generations suffers from software instability, causing screen freezes, lag, and unresponsive controls. This affects navigation, audio, and vehicle settings access. The system complexity and integration with vehicle functions makes complete replacement impractical. Software updates from Aston Martin may improve reliability but do not eliminate all glitches.

    What to check: Turn on the ignition and wait for the infotainment system to fully boot - this should take no more than 60 seconds. Note any error messages or stuck loading screens. Test touch sensitivity by navigating through all main menu options - audio, navigation, vehicle settings, phone connectivity. Check...

  6. Touchtronic gearbox software

    Wear item MkI, MkII, MkIII

    The Touchtronic automatic transmission software across all generations can benefit from updates to improve shift quality, response times, and adaptive behaviour. Early software versions may exhibit harsh downshifts, delayed engagement, or poor adaptation to driving style. Aston Martin has released multiple software updates addressing these issues, but not all cars receive timely updates due to infrequent dealer visits.

    What to check: Ask for service records showing the most recent software update date and version number. Check that the gear selector moves smoothly through all positions - P, R, N, D, and manual mode positions.

What Vanquishs cost at dealers now

From 19 used Vanquishs we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£81,894
Typical mileage
25,623 miles
Price change vs last month
+17.4%

Vanquish MOT results

8.9%

of Vanquish MOT tests end in a fail, from 5,661 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Suspension ball joints wornSuspension
  2. Anti-roll bar links wornSuspension
  3. Suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe...Suspension

Check the Vanquish you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Vanquish questions

Is the Aston Martin Vanquish reliable?

8.9% of Vanquish models fail their MOT based on 5,661 tests analysed. That’s better than average for the class. There are 6 known problems to watch for, the most serious being brake hose and line corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Aston Martin Vanquish?

The most serious known issues are brake hose and line corrosion, suspension joint dust cover failure, steering rack gaiter deterioration. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific Vanquish has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Aston Martin Vanquish has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Aston Martin Vanquish has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Vanquish has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Aston Martin Vanquish for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Aston Martin Vanquish HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Vanquish faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Aston Martin Vanquish fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Vanquish is suspension ball joints worn. 8.9% of Vanquish models fail overall, based on 5,661 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Vanquish

Other Aston Martin car checks

Aston Martin Db115.1% MOT failure rate Aston Martin Db712.8% MOT failure rate Aston Martin Db910.5% MOT failure rate Aston Martin Dbs7% MOT failure rate Aston Martin Rapide9.2% MOT failure rate Aston Martin V8 Vantage8.8% MOT failure rate

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.