2002 Aston Martin VANQUISH

In the care of the same owner for the past ten years, this V12-engined Aston Martin offers bidders the opportunity to own what might just be the cheapest Vanquish on the open market today.

Beautifully finished in the much sought-after Tungsten Silver (yes, the same colour as the example driven by our favourite British spy and lovable rogue) it features the rare two-seater internal configuration rather than the more common 2+2 set-up.

Having just 31,000 miles on the odometer, a full service history and a new MOT, we would welcome potential bidders here to The Market’s headquarters in Abingdon to take a look at it for themselves. 

Please note that in a previous keepers' ownership, this Vanquish was recorded at Cat D - more later.

The Tungsten Silver coachwork is very well presented, and isn't this model just gorgeously styled? The owner has gone to great lengths to ensure that it looks and runs superbly. As you can see from the photographs, you’ll be bidding on great shut lines, ripple-free flanks, and a depth of shine that makes the car look almost chrome-plated in some of the photographs.

The 12-spoke, alloy wheels are unblemished and shod with matching Bridgestone high-performance tyres. But then you’d already guessed that, hadn’t you?

The alloy fuel filler cap is present and correct, as are the twin-exhausts. You might find faux tail pipes on some of your German autobahn stormers but here in Blighty we prefer our cars to be functional as well as beautiful.

There is a tiny blister on the roof, which will need some attention, as will the black-painted edges to the rear windows and a small blemish on the rear nearside wing. Oh, and some of the chromework is slightly pitted, but it looks like most of that should polish out with the application of a bit of elbow grease and a tube of Autosol.

This Vanquish is being sold with its cherished registration number V12 NST, which if you squint with one eye, could be mistaken for AST at a quick glance!!

The two-seat Chancellor Red interior is in very good condition with firm and supportive seats, fully working electrics, and a clean overall finish. Vast swathes of Connolly leather coat almost every surface, and where the finish isn’t leather it is an attractive matt silver effect. Chrome details are judiciously sprinkled around too, and the headlining, carpets and nearside alloy footplate are all in good shape.

The Vanquish even retains its original umbrella, which is neatly stowed in the boot along the lower edge of the rear window. This is very unusual and the cost of replacing it should not be under-estimated as they are not available from the factory, so you’d have to wait for one to pop up on eBay – and then, even assuming one comes up, you are going to have to battle against scores of other owners who are all seeking to replace the one that a previous light-fingered owner has half-inched…

The boot is also home to a CD multi-changer and the warning triangle.

There is some creasing to the edge of the driver’s seat. We think it could be re-coloured very easily but the owner wanted to present the car honestly and openly; a car is only ever original once, and being sold ‘warts and all’ allows the new owner to decide how they want to have the car finished.

Speaking of which, the red gear change paddles are also showing some chips to their edges from use. You could have them refinished – or you could leave them as they are and let everyone form their own opinion as to your status as a driving legend who wrings every last ounce of performance out of their car…

A new stainless steel exhaust system (from the middle backwards) has been fitted at a cost of £1,500 - and rather than going for something a bit more fruity, the owner chose to retain the car’s original exhaust note, a move we applaud.

In preparation for this auction, he’s also had some new bushes and a few other bits and bobs fitted to the suspension, along with traction control sensors. He tells us that it now drives “spot on”.

Recent work included new uprated coil packs, gear change accumulator sphere, and two track rod ends. Please see the attached invoices for details.

The owner also tells us that the brakes were replaced just before he bought the car around 6,000 miles and ten years ago.

The underbonnet area itself is an absolute delight, but then anything that features an Aston Martin V12 naturally aspirated engine and a carbonfibre strut brace is going to be, isn’t it? Oh, and for the cognoscenti among you, David Alderman undertook the final inspection of the handbuilt engine.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern whatsoever and the most recent MOT, which expires in June 2021, didn’t garner a single advisory point.

This car has been recorded as a Category D insurance claim whilst with a previous owner. The following is the facts as the vendor knows: photos (in the Gallery) show a damaged lower front end (eg radiators, bumper, crossmember etc). The repair work here has been done very well, the undertrays that cover most of the underside of any Vanquish appear present and solid. We understand that it may have only been recorded as such because the chap who owned the car at the time refused to have it repaired and insisted on being paid out instead - but this is unsubstantiated. The vendor has completed a 4-wheel alignment which came out confirming the car was 'straight', and the vendor and his specialist garage have driven the car at high speed (private road, of course) and reported that it drove straight and true with no dramas at all. Buyers should ensure they are happy to bid, and are welcome to carry out any inspection, prior to any bidding. 

The car comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it, in addition to the owner’s handbook and a stamped service history booklet.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very high standard.

The value of the Aston Martin Vanquish has been largely static for the past few years, which seems to indicate that they have probably now bottomed out. This makes it the perfect time to buy before they start their possible march upwards.

And we believe this example is the cheapest Aston Martin Vanquish to be offered on the open market. With a guide price of just £33,000 - £44,000 – and a reserve that is set at an even lower price point - we think it offers outstanding value for money, but please ensure you are comfortable with the car's history.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at The Market HQ in Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.