2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Coupe

Highlights 

• Highly revered and hugely engaging coupe

• Hand built 430bhp, 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine

• 0-60mph in 4.5s

• Excellent Aston Martin main dealer service history

• Low owner, low mileage example

• Well-maintained and in great condition throughout

• Advisory-free MOT

• Thousands spent on parts, servicing and maintenance

• Some subtle, tasteful upgrades, including exhaust valve control

Overview

Cars like Aston Martin's V8 Vantage S deserve to be driven. They should be driven. What's the point in having a car as stunningly handsome and as comprehensively capable as this and not enjoying it as much as humanly possible? Surely the allure of that glorious 4.7-litre V8 engine is too enticing to ignore. The soundtrack alone should have you running to the garage to start it up at every conceivable opportunity. It's a beautifully pure and engaging car that seems to get better with age. Old school in its approach and wonderfully balanced in its execution the “baby Aston”, as it was known, could school many a rival in what it truly means to be an iconic sports car and the S arguably saw the V8 Vantage hit its stride and realise its full potential. 

Very much a product greater than the sum of its parts the synergy of the Vantage S still impresses today and when on song, with everything from the quicker steering rack and beefed up suspension to the tweaked aerodynamics working in harmony, there's not a lot out there that feels this good to drive enthusiastically. And what about the wonderfully opulent interior? For many this is peak cabin. With enough hand-crafted finery for things to feel special but devoid of the overwhelming amounts of tech present in more modern fare it's simply a lovely place to be.

This particular 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, with just two owners from new, has covered less than 58K miles and remains in superb condition throughout. Clearly well-maintained by both custodians the car has been rightfully enjoyed and comes to market with an impressive Aston Martin main dealer service history, as well as a myriad invoices for work completed. Evincing the car's cherished nature is its MOT history which flags no major issues, just the usual advisories for normal tyre and brake pad wear.

What we have here then is a looked after, well-serviced and eminently usable Aston Martin V8 Vantage S that has plenty more to give. It looks and sounds suitably menacing too with its Onyx black colourway and exhaust valve remote control for full on “loud” mode.    

History and documentation

• 2012 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• In current ownership since 06 Jul 2019

• First registered 29 Sep 2012

• One registered former keeper

• Original book pack

• Two keys (the crystal key was refurbished Jun 2021 and not used since)

• Aston Martin main dealer service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: 2013 @ 6,613 miles (service, anti-corrosion inspection), 2014 @ 12,093 miles (service, anti-corrosion inspection), 2015 @ 17,091 miles (service, anti-corrosion inspection), 2016 @ 21,335 miles (service), 2017 @ 27,350 miles (service, anti-corrosion inspection), 2019 @ 33,402 miles (service), 2020 @ 37,603 miles (service), 2021 @ 42,278 miles (service), 2023 @ 48,318 miles (service), 2023 @ 51,899 miles (service), 2026 @ 55,861 miles (service) 

• Multiple supporting invoices for parts, servicing and maintenance

• The vendor informs us that they have spent a significant sum of money ensuring that the car has been looked after

• The car will revert to its original registration of GN62 DAA prior to sale

• HPI clear

• Advisory-free MOT until 01 Oct 2027

• London ULEZ compliant

• 57,943 indicated miles

Interior

• In great condition throughout

• The black leather upholstery remains in excellent shape

• No major damage to report

• Light signs of wear commensurate with age and mileage

• Vendor reports that the driver's side seat bolster could do with some leather feed but is not cracked and also advises that the seat belt could do with re-webbing but is not an MOT advisory

• Bang & Olufsen upgraded stereo system (with the tweeters that rise up out of the dash)

• Apple Car Play fitted Nov 2024 by Aston Installations (manual provided)

• Ski slope refurbished

• Hockey stick and airbag leather refurbished

• Piano black trim remains in fine fettle

• No reports of any electrical issues or dashboard warning lights

• Aston Martin pen present

• Boot space is clean and tidy but the vendor informs us that the parcel shelf occasionally falls off when the boot is opened

• Engine bay presents well overall but there are some blemishes here and there to note

Exterior

• In very good condition overall 

• There are a few minor age-related marks as highlighted in the photos

• Panel gaps are uniform

• Onyx Black paintwork retains a healthy shine

• The car has been machine polished under current ownership but there are some swirls on the bonnet

• No signs of any blemishes to the glasswork

• Aston Martin upgraded headlight fans fitted Oct 2019 (manual provided)

• Vendor reports a minor ding repair to the front bumper in Feb 2020

• Rear LEDs repaired on passenger side rear light (post water ingress) Jun 2020

• ECPS Carbon fibre front grille installed April 2021 (original can be supplied instead on request)

• Light repair to driver side door June 2023 but some minor bubbling recently noted

• The carbon splitter and diffuser were refurbished in November 2024 but the diffuser has a small crack due to a reversing incident and the splitter has some usual light scuffs

• The 19” ten-spoke alloy wheels are in reasonably good condition overall but the vendor informs us they could use some attention

• Tyres are all Continental Sport Contact 7s that were fitted new in Feb 2024 at 52,377 miles

• Underbody looks to be in good shape

Mechanical

• 430bhp, 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine

• Seven-speed Sportshift II automated manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.5s

• 190mph top speed

• CC Charger exhaust valve remote control fitted (manual and original parts supplied)

• Thermostat replaced Nov 2020

• Front ABS and brake pad sensors rewired Jun 2021

• New brake switch Nov 2021

• DAE ASM twin plate clutch fitted and ASM pipes replaced by David Appleby Engineering Jan 2023

• Four wheel alignment May 2025 

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the car starts wonderfully with a full throated growl and stops as it should.  The exhaust valves remain open after starting the car which means it sounds like an Aston should.  However, the vales can be closed using the remote control to stop the droning at motorway cruising speeds or if the buyer doesn’t want to wake the neighbours when leaving their house early.

Summary

Driving and sounding as good as it looks this V8 Vantage S has clearly wanted for nothing and with any and all issues dealt with expediently presents as a very tidy and inherently usable example of one of Aston Martin's finest from an age where driver engagement and satisfaction were of paramount importance. Get it bought and get it on the road where it belongs. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.