Aston Martin Vantage (2019 to 2023) buying guide

The 2019 to 2023 Aston Martin Vantage is a two-seat sports car with a Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8 and rear-wheel drive, and the likeliest glitches are electrical or electronic. Insist on a full, stamped service history and a proper underside inspection before anything else.

Aston unveiled it in November 2017 with 503 bhp from a 4.0-litre V8. Speed Luxury gives the US car 505 lb-ft of torque, a 3.5-second sprint to 60 mph and a top speed of 195 mph. It shares its aluminium architecture with the DB11, though 70% of the structural parts differ, says RAC Drive.

It suits someone who wants a driver's car and can live with a 350-litre boot. For where to start looking, see our used Vantage listings and the Vantage price guide.

Most of the checks come down to paperwork, the underside and cosmetic wear.

• Ask for a complete, fully stamped service history and read through it line by line.
• Book a specialist inspection that includes removing the protective underbody panels to see the structure.
• Check the service record or dealer for the oil cooler hose recall work and the airbag fastener recalls.
• Listen for a whine from the rear on a steady cruise, which points to the electronic differential.
• Watch for an engine management light, which can point to a coil pack that has taken in water.
• Feel for jerky upshifts or lazy downshifts from the automatic during a test drive.
• Run a light along the panel edges for bubbling under the paint.
• Check the front splitter, rear diffuser and diamond-cut alloys for scuffs, since the alloys are costly to refurbish.
• Inspect the tread on the Pirelli P Zero tyres.
• Look over the boot and cabin for damaged trim and leather, and confirm the seats sit firmly on their mounts.

NHTSA holds two recall campaigns for 2019 to 2023 Vantages, both for air bags. The 2019 campaign covers a passenger air bag whose locking nut fasteners may not be tightened properly. The 2019 to 2020 campaign covers front seat air bag fasteners that may not have been tightened correctly. A campaign for a model year does not mean every car of that year was affected.

NHTSA lists no owner complaints for these years. Check any car's VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy.

Most of the sources lean positive. Auto Express calls reliability good, and PistonHeads sees a potentially great first Aston with a strong AMG drivetrain. For most buyers the standard V8 coupe is the car to find, and the manual is a free option on later cars if you want it. The F1 Edition adds power and a reworked automatic.

See how it stacks up in Aston Martin vs Ferrari. Skip the V12 unless you want the rarity and are happy with Autocar's reservation about its driving feel. Whatever you choose, don't compromise on a full service history, an underbody inspection and proof that the recall work is done.