Models · Aston Martin
Aston Martin V12 Vantage buying guide
The V12 Vantage put the 5.9 V12 from the DBS into the compact Vantage body, launched in 2009 with a manual gearbox, followed by the 565bhp V12 Vantage S in 2013 and a seven-speed manual S in 2016.
The versions
- V12 Vantage (2009): 5,935cc V12, 510bhp, six-speed manual
- V12 Vantage S (2013): 565bhp, seven-speed Sportshift III single-clutch automated manual
- V12 Vantage S manual (2016): 565bhp, seven-speed dog-leg manual
- Carbon ceramic brakes, rear-wheel drive (power as given in bhp by Evo)
What to check on a V12 Vantage
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Oil use and cam cover leaks
What to look for: Check the oil level, ask how much oil the car uses between services, and look with a torch along the joint between each camshaft cover and the engine block for seepage. Look for a complete service history, ideally from an Aston Martin specialist.
Why it matters: The V12 is known to burn oil, so some use is normal and a record of top-ups is a sign of a car that's been looked after. Oil leaks between the cam covers and the block are a known item. A full documented history matters more on this car than most.
Sportshift III clutch life
What to look for: On a paddle-shift V12 Vantage S, ask whether a dealer has checked the remaining clutch life, and note any slip or judder when pulling away and on hill starts.
Why it matters: The Sportshift III, Aston Martin's single-clutch automated manual, is seen as the car's weakest link. It can be hard on clutches, and the gearbox isn't infallible. Lifting off the throttle when shifting and avoiding Drive mode where possible reduces wear, so how the car has been driven matters.
Carbon ceramic brakes and tyres
What to look for: Look at the large front brake discs through the wheels for cracks, chips at the edges, or a heavily worn surface, and check the tyres for remaining tread and age.
Why it matters: The V12 Vantage uses large carbon ceramic brakes, with 398mm front discs, and high-performance tyres; both are major items to replace. The best cars will have plenty of life left in both.
Also in the full guide
- Accelerator pedal recall
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the V12 Vantage
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Aston Martin.