Reliability was a major issue back when the original Vanquish went on sale in 2001, but Aston has made big strides since then. The 6.0-litre V12 is proven technology, as is the six-speed automatic gearbox and the newer eight-speed which has been slightly reengineered by Aston but is used throughout the industry with an excellent reliability record. Hopefully the Vanquish will see an improvement in the other traditional weakness for the brand - faulty electrics.

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Also on the positive side, Aston Martin dealers have a pretty good reputation for customer service. That means if you do have problems, you’ve a good chance of getting them satisfactorily resolved.

Aston Martin reckons 58 per cent of all the cars it has ever built are still on the road too, which must account for something.

On the safety front, Dynamic Stability Control and Positive Torque Control, both fitted as standard, help to contain the engine’s power and keep you on the road and while the Vanquish will never be crash tested by EuroNCAP the carbon fibre body work has a much greater tensile strength than conventional materials. The VH platform underneath the car has been reengineered for greater strength and torsional stiffness too.

If you do come unstuck, there are curtain side head airbags, dual-stage front airbags, seatbelt load limiters and two pelvis and thorax seat-mounted airbags. Indeed Aston Martin says the Vanquish is the safest car it’s built yet.

Warranty

The Aston Martin Vanquish comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which is similar to most rivals. You can buy a range of extended warranty packages, too.

Servicing

Most Aston Martin buyers accept the need for exemplary servicing, and therefore don’t flinch at the cost. Which is a good thing, as Aston Martin dealer labour rates don’t come cheap.