British supercar beauty at hot-hatch prices
Aston Martin's entry-level sports car and the brand's best-selling model ever, with over 21,000 built between 2005-2017. It attracts enthusiasts who want British grand touring character and stunning design at a lower entry point than the DB9, competing with the Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Type. Early V8 models now trade at hot-hatch money, making supercar ownership surprisingly accessible.
We track 6 known issues across the Aston Martin Vantage range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Aston Martin Vantage? Enter the reg to see which of our 6 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Gen1 (2005–2017) — Engine options included the 4.3L V8, 4.7L V8, S 6.0L V12. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Engine management malfunction light (£150–£400 to address).
Gen2 (2017–2024) — Engine options included the 4.0L V8 Turbo. Our database flags 2 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Suspension component corrosion (£800–£1,500 to address).
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.
Corroded suspension components can fail catastrophically, leading to loss of vehicle control and potential accident. Replacement typically requires multiple suspension arms and associated hardware. Cars showing early-stage corrosion should be addressed immediately as the problem accelerates once started.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
While the engine remains driveable, ignoring engine management faults can lead to catalyst damage, reduced fuel economy, and potential long-term engine damage. Diagnosis requires specialist OBD equipment familiar with Aston Martin protocols. Fault resolution typically ranges from simple sensor replacement to more complex ECU software updates.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
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.
Corroded brake hose ferrules can fail completely, leading to rapid brake fluid loss and brake system failure. This presents an immediate safety risk. Complete brake hose replacement is typically required once corrosion begins. The car should not be driven if brake fluid leakage is detected.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
Corroded brake pipes can fail suddenly, causing complete brake system failure and loss of stopping ability. This is a critical safety issue requiring immediate attention. Replacement typically involves renewing substantial sections of the brake pipe system. The vehicle should not be driven if brake pipe corrosion is advanced.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
Oil leakage typically worsens gradually and can lead to low oil levels if not monitored. Leaking oil can contaminate other components and accelerate corrosion. While not immediately dangerous, significant leaks should be addressed to prevent more costly secondary damage and maintain proper lubrication levels.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 6 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Aston Martin Vantage common problems page.
Based on 27k real DVSA MOT tests, the Aston Martin Vantage fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 373x the fleet average, followed by headlight fault (33x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Aston Martin Vantage MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £200–£300 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include engine oil and filter (£200–£300), coolant flush (£200–£300).
See the full Aston Martin Vantage service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Aston Martin Vantage has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2011-2013 V8 Vantage S is the sweet spot — 430bhp from the enlarged 4.7-litre V8 with many early-model issues resolved. For value, 2008-2010 4.7 cars offer the upgraded engine at bargain prices. Manual cars command a premium but are the most reliable and rewarding to drive.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Aston Martin Vantage, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 6 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 6 known Aston Martin Vantage issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.