2012 Aston Martin Vanquish 5.9L Petrol · C17 BJH

A cluster of electrical and structural safety failures during the July 2024 test demonstrates that this Aston Martin Vanquish has previously suffered from significant operational faults, though the subsequent clean passes in June 2025 and on July 18, 2026, indicate that these specific issues were successfully rectified. The 2024 test resulted in a failure due to an inoperative engine malfunction indicator lamp, an SRS airbag warning light fault, an inoperable horn, and an incomplete emissions test, alongside an advisory for all tyres being perished and cracked. The complete absence of recorded defects on the two most recent consecutive annual tests shows a return to compliance, but the historical electrical troubles mean that a thorough functional check of all dashboard warnings and auxiliary systems remains essential. Accumulating just 37,160 miles over its fourteen-year life translates to an average of roughly 2,654 miles per year, establishing a notably low usage profile for a high-performance grand tourer. This sparse annual mileage indicates periods of prolonged inactivity between tests, such as the extended gap between November 2022 and July 2024 where no MOT records appear. Mechanically, such usage patterns place stress on peripheral rubber components and electrical systems from sitting dormant, making it vital to inspect the vehicle for underlying degradation that may not be fully captured during a standard static MOT inspection. Given the explicit 2024 advisory regarding perished and cracked rubber, a prospective buyer must physically inspect the date codes and sidewall integrity of all four fitted tyres to ensure they are fit for high-speed use, regardless of the subsequent clean pass certificates. Furthermore, the history of a malfunctioning engine management light and SRS warning lamp dictates a rigorous pre-purchase diagnostic scan to check for stored fault codes, intermittent CAN bus communication errors, or lingering electrical resistance issues within the cabin wiring harness. During the physical test drive, pay close attention to the dashboard instrumentation to ensure the engine management lamp and airbag warning indicators illuminate correctly upon ignition and extinguish promptly once the V12 engine starts. Listen carefully for any unusual electrical buzzing, test all steering wheel controls and the horn functionality thoroughly, and verify that the emissions control systems operate normally under load without triggering limp mode or hesitation during acceleration.