2003 Aston Martin DB7 5.9 Vantage Volante

First registered on the 2nd of May 2003 and showing just four previous keepers, this delightful Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante has just 37,000 miles on the clock, a mileage the vendor is happy to warrant as accurate as it is supported by the online MOT history and stamped service history booklet.

Presented in a wonderful condition, it is running beautifully and benefits from a sports exhaust, which not only allows the V12 engine to breath properly but also makes a wonderful noise.

Offered with a sensible guide price and an almost absurdly low reserve, this is the DB7 Volante you’ve always promised yourself.

The black coachwork is, despite its propensity to highlight even the lightest of flaws, in a remarkably good condition. With ripple-free flanks, great panel alignment and tight, even shutlines, there’s nothing there to distract the eye from Ian Callum’s iconic design.

Of course, the chrome mesh grille helps its ageless looks, as does the folding black fabric roof. The latter is in good order, fits well and remains water-tight. It furls and unfurls at the press of a button, and while there are some scuffs and areas of loose stitching, this is very much a job for later rather than now.

There’s a tonneau cover too, and that’s in very good order which is handy as the car’s (already impeccable) lines are further improved with the roof folded down and out of the way.

The 19-inch, nine-spoke alloy wheels are in fine fettle with only light scuffing to a couple of the rims. They’re fitted with a mixed bag of tyres, all of which look to have decent tread.

Aside from the usual stonechips and marks that any car accumulates over the years the only other issues we can see are a couple of rubbing points on the boot lid, a missing cover for offside wiper blade retaining nut, and the odd small bubble in the paint.

The electrically adjustable and heated leather seats are only lightly patinated and still very comfortable and supportive. Gently worn, the cockpit appeals hugely as the balance of black leather trim and silver/metal accents gives it a timeless elegance we love. It is, you will remember, the first of the new-style Astons, and it paved the way for the minimalist interiors the company is known for now.

There are alloy pedals in there, DB7-branded over-mats plus the Aston head unit that controls the Becker Silverstone CD multichanger in the boot. It’s all in great shape too, with only a few minor signs of wear here and there, a condition that adds to its usability as you aren’t going to be afraid to jump in and drive it.

Issues you might not want to leave unfettled? Well, there is a scuffed area of carpet on the driver’s sill and a dink in the silver dashboard trim in front of the passenger as well as some unusual bobbling to a few small areas of seat leather.

That said, none of this detracts from the DB7’s ambience though; it might be a little small in there but it is beautifully formed and we could live with it as is without any further expenditure.

The DB7’s MOT certificate is valid until February 2021.

It has a couple of expired MOT certificates in its history file plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years.

This maintenance work is hugely impressive and includes the following routine services:

• 02.05.2003 and 201 miles – pre-delivery inspection by Lancaster Sevenoaks

• 06.06.2003 and 1,365 miles – service by Lancaster Sevenoaks

• 17.11.2003 and 4,279 miles – service by Lancaster Sevenoaks

• 27.05.2004 and 6,192 miles – service by Lancaster Sevenoaks

• 13.06.2005 and 12,823 miles – service by Lancaster Sevenoaks

• 30.12.2005 and 14,720 miles – service by Lancaster Cambridge

• 13.07.2007 and 18,025 miles – service by K&L Motors

• 08.10.2010 and 24,712 miles – service by K&L Motors

• 02.09.2011 and 26,431 miles – service by K&L Motors

• 03.05.2013 and 27,169 miles – service by K&L Motors

• 02.07.2015 and 28,983 miles – service by PMG Motors

• 20.03.2017 and 33,554 miles – service by Checkpoint Garage

• 01.03.2019 and 36,202 miles – service by Checkpoint Garage

• 31.01.2020 and 37,127 miles – service by Checkpoint Garage

We haven’t been able to test drive it as it is with the vendor in Essex but we’re told that it “drives superbly” and is a “nice, genuine car”.

A new battery has been fitted, and there’s a receipt for a CTEK trickle charger too, so you shouldn’t have any starting problems in the future.

The engine bay is glorious but then it’s got a V12 engine in there which always helps, as does the plaque confirming the car’s handbuilt status.

The underside looks to be good too although there is some scuffing to the leading edge of the front spoiler.

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

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

The price of Aston Martin DB7s has been largely static for a while now, something we are struggling to explain because they’re achingly pretty, mechanically robust, and bloomin’ fantastic to drive. They also swept Aston Martin into the modern era, so are historically important too.

So, when we say that we think this one has a guide price of only £27,500 to £35,000, you’ll understand that this is a reflection of the market rather than the vehicle; we simply can’t believe how much performance and style you get for your money when you’re looking at something DB7-shaped.

And this is, remember, an almost unblemished, well maintained, low-mileage Aston Martin with a V12 engine under the bonnet for way less than the cost of a top-end Ford Focus. Funny old world, ain’t it?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Hockley in Essex; 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’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.