Used Aston Martin Vantage (Mk2, 2017-date) buyer’s guide: fast, fun and expensive

Verdict

When we first drove the Aston Martin Vantage Mk2 in 2018, we said: “Today’s Vantage features a modern, potent V8 from Mercedes-AMG, which offers stunning performance, while retaining the traditional Aston Martin character and charm. Combine this with a depth of dynamic ability and remarkable refinement, as well as a classy cabin and modern infotainment, and it’s easy to see why the new Vantage should be a real winner for Aston Martin.” Nothing has changed in the meantime; reliability is good and no element has dated significantly, while the cost of entry to the Aston Martin Vantage club is much lower than it was back in 2018. What’s not to like?

Aston Martin has been selling cars using the Vantage name since as long ago as 1950, and as such it’s one of the most evocative automotive monikers.

But it took a long time for Aston to produce a Vantage that was truly credible on the world stage. Some would say that moment came in 2005 with the arrival of the Vantage V8, but arguably it was that car’s successor that could truly compete with its rivals in terms of the technology fitted and the build quality.

The Vantage Mk2 really upped the game for Aston, and with the earliest examples now seven years old, this junior supercar is shaping up to be a very smart used buy.

History

The Mk2 Vantage was unveiled in November 2017, costing from £95,000 with a 503bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8; six months later it went into production, with the first customer cars delivered soon after.

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2023 Aston Martin

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16,300 milesAutomaticPetrol4.0L

Cash £75,995

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At first all Vantages came only with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but the AMR of winter 2019 had a seven-speed manual transmission; just 200 were made. The Vantage Roadster that went on sale in spring 2020 shared the coupé’s engine and gearbox.

But something altogether more exciting arrived in spring 2022: the V12 Vantage, with a 690bhp twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 engine. Once again there was a Roadster edition, from autumn 2022, but all 333 examples of the £265k coupé and all 249 Roadsters were sold before the cars were even announced.

Those who missed out could always console themselves with one of the heavily facelifted Vantages that arrived in spring 2024, with a dramatic new look, a 656bhp V8 engine, a heavily revised chassis and an all-new interior. By now the starting price had risen to £165,000. A year later the facelifted Roadster arrived.

Prices

Even the cheapest Vantage Mk2s will set you back a hefty sum, but there are plenty of choices on the used market. About one in six Vantages is a Roadster edition and there’s a reasonable number of facelifted Vantages available, invariably through official dealers. The V12 editions are very rare. You can buy a used Aston Martin Vantage for around £75,000 through our Buy a Car service.

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On the road

Even the early coupé can crack 195mph and the roadster will do 190mph, while 0-62mph takes just 3.6 seconds. But this car isn’t only about outright pace, because every aspect of it is well resolved.

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The eight-speed paddleshift (not dual-clutch) automatic gearbox is brilliant with its three driving modes – arguably better in real-world use than the manual – while the Mercedes-AMG V8 engine sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels. The result is a car that is superb to drive, with engaging steering, sharp handling and a ride that’s much more supple than you might expect.

Which one should I buy?

The Vantage Mk2 represented a huge improvement over its predecessor, and the 2024 facelifted model brought further significant upgrades. The V12 is a specialist and rare car, but every drive is an occasion, whether a Vantage has eight cylinders or 12.

Whatever version you go for, it’ll be well equipped, with all examples coming with front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, navigation, electric steering column adjustment, cruise control, self parking, blind-spot detection, and leather and Alcantara trim, along with heated and ventilated seats, which also featured 16-way adjustment. An eight-inch touchscreen was standard at the outset, along with a tracker, garage door opener and even an umbrella.

Alternatives to the Aston Martin Vantage

If you have at least £70k to spend, there’s a raft of very desirable sporting cars to choose from. One of the most accomplished and readily available is the Porsche 911, which also comes in open and closed forms. That’s true of the Audi R8 and the Mercedes-AMG GT, too, as well as the Maserati GranTurismo, which comes in open-topped GranCabrio form.

If you want something that blends a sporty drive with opulence, the Bentley Continental GT might suit, but if you want serious pace and a sharper drive, the Ferrari Portofino M or Roma are for you. Or you could try a V8-powered Jaguar F-Type, which is something of a performance-car bargain.

What to look for

A bit special

There has been an array of Vantage special editions over the years, including the V600 (14 made in 2018), 007 (100 built in 2020) and an unspecified number of F1 editions that were produced in 2021.

History lesson

You could be forgiven for assuming that all Vantages are cherished and maintained meticulously. Not so, which is why you need to ensure a car’s service history is complete, and go through it carefully.

Watt a pain

Just as with many mainstream car brands, the most likely Vantage glitches revolve around the electrics and electronics. It doesn’t help that some of these cars are barely used from one week to the next.

Fuel’s gold

The Vantage’s fuel tank holds 73 litres and in V8 form it’s rated at an optimistic 24.3mpg; the V12 at an unlikely 20.3mpg. Expect a few mpg below this, and quite a few if you drive the car hard…

Interior

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Many Astons have had cabins that disappointed in terms of the tech and build quality, but not here. The finish and materials are superb, while the switchgear is well laid out, with plenty of buttons rather than an over-reliance on the Mercedes-sourced touchscreen. The Vantage is strictly a two-seater, and its boot can stow a reasonable 350 litres.

Running costs

Supercars bring super-sized bills, and as you would expect, every aspect of a Vantage’s running costs is on the high side. All variations on the Vantage theme are in insurance group 50, and, of course, all are subject to the annual £425 luxury car road tax supplement for the first five years, because of the list price being more than £40,000.

The service interval is set at every 12 months or 10,000 miles, but all routine maintenance is free for the first five years; this includes items such as spark plugs, air and pollen filters plus brake fluid. The six-year/60,000-mile service is the big one, at £1,305 (for a V8), but after that, services alternate between £650 and £765, which includes fresh brake fluid every two years. New spark plugs are required every 40,000 miles, at £770, or £1,050 for a V12 edition.

Recalls

The first-generation Vantage was recalled seven times during its 14-year lifespan, but the Mk2 has been recalled just three times so far. The first two, which were issued in 2019 then again in 2020, were for the same reason: incorrectly attached airbags.

Passenger airbag issues prompted the first action, while the second was because the seat airbag fixings weren’t secure. In both instances, tightening the retaining fixings rectified matters.

The third and most recent recall came in September 2024, because sub-standard oil cooler hoses were fitted. These could split, leading to oil all over the place and an engine starved of lubricant. The solution was straightforward enough though: remove the original hoses and fit new ones.

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