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2002 ASTON MARTIN DB7 VANTAGE

This Aston Martin DB7 Vantage is a smart example of the model, presented in a great factory colour scheme, and with impressive service history. The engine is the 414bhp 5.9-litre V12, with rear-wheel drive via a five-speed ZF automatic transmission. It has covered 60,762 miles from new.

First registered in May 2002, there are just two previous registered keepers on the log book, with the last change recorded in June 2015. It has evidently been very well maintained throughout its life, with 19 recorded services on record, and a remarkably clean MOT history.

Its bodywork is in very good order, with no damage to any of the metal or composite panels. The handsome Antrim Blue paint presents very well, with only small stone chips on the bonnet, roof, and wing mirrors. The front bumper has previously been repainted to rectify larger chips. At the back of the car, there appear to be some small blemishes in the lacquer on the rear bumper. In general, there is a smooth and glossy appearance to the finish.

All of the light lenses appear to be original and undamaged, and the window seals and door rubbers are sound. The brightwork around the car is also in good order, and there is very little tarnishing on the exhaust tips. The seller notes some surface corrosion visible on the wheel hubs. It sits on the original set of 18-inch 10-spoke alloys, which are in great shape having been recently refurbished.

In the cabin, the seats are trimmed in a combination Atlantic Blue leather for the bases and back panels, and Parchment leather on the facings. The colour scheme is extended around the rest of the interior, with the lower sections of the doors and dashboard finished in Parchment, and the upper sections in Atlantic Blue. While the leather on the driver’s seat has some wear and surface cracking commensurate with the mileage, there are no rips or tears in the material. The upholstery could easily be improved by a professional re-connolising treatment.

Just to the right of the steering wheel, there is a small patch of leather dashboard trim which has been lifted off, perhaps from a stick-on mount for a phone having been removed. The burr wood veneers in the centre console, dashboard and door trims are in good condition, and the steering wheel and gear lever have matching wood finishes. Factory-fitted equipment includes electric adjustment and heating for the front seats, air-conditioning, heated front and rear screens, and the Aston Martin branded Becker stereo head unit. The boot is in very good order, with no stains or damage to the grey carpet lining.

Mechanically, this DB7 Vantage is in great condition, having been looked after for most of its life by Aston Martin main dealers and recognised specialists. The most recent maintenance work on the car was in 2018, when new spark plugs were fitted, along with a new inlet manifold gasket, injector tap seals and o-ring, and a replacement fuel filter. The seller reports that the air-conditioning was re-gassed in April 2020, but that the cold stream is still not ice cold.

In May 2017 at 57,317 miles, a full service was carried out by marque specialist McGurk Performance Cars. Oils and filters were renewed, the batteries for the key fobs were replaced, and a new air filter was installed. Prior to this, during the service in May 2016, also at McGurk, power steering pipes were replaced, along with the offside electric window regulator.

Its last MOT test was on 19 December 2019 at 59,758 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories. The online MOT history is a testament to the care and attention of previous owners. Other than one advisory regarding slight wear to the rear tyres in 2018, every other test on record has been a first-time pass with no warnings or alerts.

The wheels are fitted with a set of Bridgestone Potenza tyres, in size 245/40 ZR18 at the front and 265/35 ZR18 at the rear, and it has just had full balancing and four-wheel alignment. The rear tyres are brand new, while the fronts are date-coded to 2015. Accompanying the car is the original owner’s handbook, service record, MOT history print-outs, stereo user guide, tools, and the locking wheel nut.

This Aston Martin DB7 Vantage is an impressive example of a quintessential British grand tourer. Presented in a handsome specification, it has evidently been well cared-for by previous owners, and wants only minor cosmetic improvements to bring it up to a superb standard. The DB7 has certainly achieved ‘modern classic’ status, and this is a mechanically sound car that will deliver characterful and refined motoring for its next owner.

Summary of service history: