Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (2002 to 2007) buying guide

The standard car makes 460bhp. The V12 Vanquish S arrived in 2004 with 520bhp, new injectors, a revised ECU and cylinder heads, and forged conrods. It also got firmer suspension with a ride height 5mm lower, an improved gearbox, lower gearing and stronger front brakes, plus a new interior and front splitter. You can spot an S by its aerodynamic front splitter, the changed grille and spoiler, and the centre console trimmed in leather.

Autocar and Classic & Sports Car both rate the Sports Dynamic Pack as worth seeking out. It brought uprated suspension and brakes to 460bhp cars from 2003 and is standard on every S. Autocar also calls the 2003 Linn sound system desirable. Later cars and S models have better gear position sensors, which can be retro-fitted to earlier cars; Autocar says early cars had serious sensor trouble.

The paddle-shift is the part of the car owners like least. Classic & Sports Car says many cars have been converted to a full manual, led by Aston Martin Works, and Autocar says around half of those advertised have been. Autocar still prefers the standard automated manual. Classic & Sports Car adds that rebuilding the semi-auto with upgraded pneumatic actuators costs less than a conversion.

The last 50 cars were Ultimate Editions in Ultimate Black with an upgraded interior, built in 2007. You can browse every V12 Vanquish for sale or every Vanquish S to compare what is out there, or see used Aston Martin V12 Vanquish listings and the Vanquish price guide.

Rust, ignition and the gearbox account for most of what the specialists warn about.

Subframe corrosion

The steel front subframes rust, sometimes the rear ones too, along with their mounting points and the undertray and wheelarch-liner mounts. Classic & Sports Car says rear subframes and anti-roll bars are now suffering as well, despite the mostly aluminium construction.

Galvanic corrosion

Steel and electrolytic corrosion are becoming common, according to Classic & Sports Car. Badly repaired panels are a particular worry, and the Vanquish is notoriously hard to return to 100% after an accident, says RAC Drive.

Gearbox and sensors

Early cars had serious gear position sensor problems, and the better later sensors can be fitted to regular cars. A whistle when pulling away may point to a worn spigot shaft bearing.

Misfires and oil leaks

Misfires often trace to oil leaks from failed PCV valves or leaking spark plug seals, and rarely to coils or plugs, says Classic & Sports Car. PistonHeads notes that coils can fail, and that oil trapped in the vacuum lines can make a good coil look dead.

Starter cable

A car that will not start most likely has a fractured bulkhead-to-starter cable. PistonHeads says the standard cable is too short and breaks from vibration.

ECU damage

Jump-starting can fry the ECUs. They are no longer available new, so they have to be rebuilt.

Cooling and belt drive

Worn auxiliary idlers squeak, and coolant can leak from the front water manifold and the thermostat-housing pipes.

Brake judder

Track use can leave the discs distorted or delaminating, which shows as juddering. AP Racing upgrades suit both models, says Classic & Sports Car.

Servicing is not cheap. RAC Drive puts most services at around £1,500, with rear tyres around £700 a pair. Autocar says the clutch should last up to 40,000 miles, and discs and pads about 20,000 miles, longer on S cars.

Classic & Sports Car prices a gearbox rebuild at £5000-plus and front subframe replacement at £2000-plus. It also says the gearbox and power steering benefit from fluid changes even though neither is on the service schedule. PistonHeads suggests replacing coils a whole bank at a time, with labor at about £1,000. These are UK figures.

The engine itself is not the worry. Classic & Sports Car says it easily passes 150,000 miles with proper maintenance, and that higher-mileage cars with full histories are fine.