2015 Aston Martin Vantage 4.7L Petrol · AM15 KTA

The Aston Martin Vantage presents a generally sound mechanical picture, though the most recent MOT history reveals a notable shift in its maintenance trend. The July 2025 pass at 10,785 miles was clean apart from an advisory for an Offside Rear nail puncture repair, which is a minor consumable issue. However, the preceding test in July 2024 at 9,825 miles flagged all four brake pipes as corroded and contaminated with grease or other material. This is a significant finding. While the vehicle passed, the fact that all four pipes were flagged simultaneously suggests a systemic issue, likely related to environmental corrosion or underseal degradation rather than an isolated incident. The trend from 2021 through 2023 was entirely clean, making the 2024 brake pipe advisory a clear and recent escalation in defect severity that demands attention. The mileage accumulation on this Vantage is exceptionally low. Covering roughly 980 miles per year over its 11-year lifespan, the vehicle has barely been used. Between the March 2021 test at 6,977 miles and the May 2022 test at 8,022 miles, it covered just over 1,000 miles in just over a year. The subsequent intervals show similarly modest jumps: 747 miles between 2022 and 2023, and 1,056 miles between 2023 and 2024. The vehicle appears to have remained static at 10,785 miles between the July 2024 and July 2025 tests, indicating it has likely been standing unused for the past 11 months. Prolonged static storage is a known risk factor for brake seizure, tyre flat-spotting, and fluid degradation, all of which compound the corrosion concerns already flagged. The 2024 advisory on all four corroded brake pipes is the single most important item for any prospective buyer to investigate. Corroded brake lines are a structural safety concern, not merely a cosmetic one, and the contamination with grease or other material suggests either degraded protective coatings or previous underbody work that was not carried out to a proper standard. A thorough inspection of the entire braking system is essential, including the condition of the flexible hoses, calipers for signs of binding, and the brake discs for uneven wear or corrosion lipping. Given the vehicle's extended period of inactivity, the brake fluid should be tested for moisture content, as hygroscopic fluid degrades over time regardless of mileage and can contribute to internal corrosion within the system. Beyond the braking system, the extended static period warrants a careful check of the tyre sidewalls for cracking or perishing, even if tread depth appears adequate. Suspension bushes and coil springs should be inspected for deterioration, as sitting for long periods can cause rubber components to dry out and perish. The exhaust system and underbody should also be examined for surface corrosion, particularly around mounting points and box sections, since low-mileage vehicles stored in less than ideal conditions can suffer from condensation-related rust that higher-mileage, regularly driven cars often avoid. The clean 2025 test is reassuring, but the 2024 brake pipe corrosion and the vehicle's current stationary state mean a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is strongly recommended.