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Aston Martin Vantage car check

Find out if a Vantage 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
£74,40463 at dealers
MOT failure rate
7.7%12k tests
Known problems
6across Gen1 to Gen2
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Vantage are you looking at?

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

  1. Suspension component corrosion

    Safety risk Gen2

    The second-generation Vantage shows exceptionally high rates of suspension component corrosion, failing MOT tests at 614.2 times the fleet average on low-mileage examples. This affects control arms, wishbones, and suspension mounting points, with failures documented on cars under 20,000 miles. The issue appears related to inadequate corrosion protection during manufacture rather than age-related wear. Early intervention is critical as corroded suspension components present a direct safety risk.

    What to check: Raise the front of the car on axle stands and inspect the lower control arms, anti-roll bar links, and suspension mounting points for white powdery corrosion or scaling. Check for any visible cracking or flaking of protective coatings on aluminium suspension components. Examine the subframe mount...

  2. Engine management malfunction light

    Electrical Gen1

    The 4.7-litre AJ37 V8 engine shows a documented pattern of check engine light activation at 302.5 times the fleet average, particularly on lower-mileage examples. This commonly relates to lambda sensor failures, coil pack degradation, or carbon knock sensor sensitivity. The engine management system is particularly sensitive to fuel quality and requires premium unleaded fuel to operate correctly.

    What to check: Check the dashboard for any illuminated warning lights including the check engine light (MIL). Ask the seller when the fault first appeared and whether diagnostic scanning has been performed. Request any diagnostic printouts or fault codes from previous investigations. Ask about fuel quality used...

  3. Brake hose ferrule corrosion

    Safety and MOT risk Gen1

    First-generation Vantages show brake hose ferrule corrosion at 157.9 times the fleet average, with the problem worsening over time according to MOT trend data. The metal end fittings (ferrules) that connect flexible brake hoses to hard lines corrode, particularly at the front wheels where road salt exposure is highest. This can lead to brake fluid leakage and brake system failure.

    What to check: Inspect all four wheels for any signs of brake fluid on the inside of the wheel rim or brake caliper area. Examine the flexible brake hoses where they connect to hard lines near each wheel for any white or green corrosion on the metal end fittings. Look for any swelling or cracking of the rubber ...

  4. Brake pipe corrosion

    Safety and MOT risk Gen1

    First-generation Vantages suffer brake pipe corrosion at 157.9 times the fleet average, with MOT trend data showing the problem is worsening over time. The steel brake lines that carry fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers corrode, particularly where they run along the underside of the vehicle and are exposed to road salt and moisture. This affects cars across all mileage ranges.

    What to check: Raise the vehicle safely and inspect the brake lines running along the underside from the master cylinder to each wheel. Look for any brown or orange rust scaling on the steel pipes. Pay particular attention to clips and mounting points where moisture can collect and accelerate corrosion. Check f...

  5. Engine oil leakage

    Engine damage risk Gen1

    The 4.7-litre AJ37 V8 shows fluid leakage at This commonly manifests as oil seepage from valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing seals, or sump gasket areas. While typically not severe enough to pose immediate safety risks, the leakage can accelerate corrosion of surrounding components and indicates deteriorating seals that will worsen over time.

    What to check: With the engine cold, inspect the engine bay for any oil staining on components below potential leak sources. Look particularly at the junction between the cylinder heads and valve covers. Check the oil level on the dipstick - frequent top-ups may indicate significant leakage. Inspect the area ar...

  6. AMG Engine Reliability

    Engine damage risk Gen1, Gen2

    Note: This entry appears to reference Mercedes AMG engines incorrectly. The Aston Martin Vantage uses Aston Martin's own AJ-series V8 and V12 engines in Gen1, and Mercedes-AMG M177 V8 in Gen2. The Mercedes-sourced M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in the second-generation model is generally reliable when maintained correctly, requiring adherence to service intervals and premium fuel grades.

    What to check: Check service history for adherence to manufacturer intervals, particularly oil changes. Verify use of correct oil grade (0W-40 for most variants). Confirm premium unleaded fuel has been used consistently. Ask about any software updates or recalls completed.

What Vantages cost at dealers now

From 63 used Vantages we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£74,404
Typical mileage
29,992 miles
Price change vs last month
+48.8%

Vantage MOT results

7.7%

of Vantage MOT tests end in a fail, from 12,284 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Anti-roll bar links wornSuspension
  2. Headlight faultLights & Electrics
  3. Seat mounting faultSeatbelts & Airbags

Check the Vantage 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

Vantage questions

Is the Aston Martin Vantage reliable?

7.7% of Vantage models fail their MOT based on 12,284 tests analysed. That’s better than average for the class. There are 6 known problems to watch for, the most serious being suspension component 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 Vantage?

The most serious known issues are suspension component corrosion, engine management malfunction light, brake hose ferrule corrosion. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific Vantage has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Aston Martin Vantage 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 Vantage 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 Vantage 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 Vantage 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 Vantage 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 Vantage 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 Vantage fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Vantage is anti-roll bar links worn. 7.7% of Vantage models fail overall, based on 12,284 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

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