Mercedes-AMG V8 or Aston Martin V12?
In December 2013, Aston Martin agreed a deal with what's now Mercedes-Benz for Mercedes-AMG engines and electrical systems in its next cars. So the V8 Vantage and the DBX both use AMG's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the M177.
That's useful to know. A mechanic with strong AMG experience knows that engine family, even if they've rarely had an Aston on the hoist. The body, trim and many other systems still aren't Mercedes, so ask what they've done on this car.
V12 cars are another story. The V12 Vantage uses Aston Martin's own AE31 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, limited to 333 units. A car like that suits a mechanic who already has V12 Aston time, and it's fair to ask for proof.
What's on the schedule
carsales lists the DBX at 16,000 km or 12 months. It has no interval listed for the Vantage, so the book in your glovebox settles it. On a low-kilometre car the date will usually come first.
Tell the mechanic how you use it. A DBX on the family run around town and a Vantage that lives under a cover have very different wear, even with the same engine. Short trips are hard on oil and batteries, while long storage is hard on tyres.
Older Aston Martins
Newport Pagnell built nearly 13,000 cars from 1955, with the last in 2007. The site is now home to Aston Martin Works, the classic car department, which covers heritage sales, service, spares and restoration.
So for a car built there, parts knowledge has a real home base, and that's worth knowing before you start hunting. Cars older than 2002 fall outside the information sharing scheme, which makes the mechanic's experience count for more. Look for someone with that era of Aston in their history, and get them to talk you through their plan.
Your warranty, in plain terms
carsales lists a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on the 2025 DBX and on the Vantage, counted from first registration. Variants can apply, so check your papers.
Using a qualified independent mechanic, who follows Aston Martin's schedule and specifications, doesn't by itself void your new car warranty. The joint regulators' guide goes further and says a warranty that requires dealer servicing may be anti-competitive conduct. Parts don't have to carry the maker's brand, says RAC WA citing the ACCC, but they must be fit for purpose. Get them named on the invoice.
What to tell the mechanic up front
- Model and year, and whether it's the V8 or the V12
- Which gearbox it has
- When it was last serviced, and by whom
- How often it's driven, and how far
- Any warning message or noise, and when it shows up
Who suits an Aston Martin
Late V8 cars suit a mechanic who knows AMG engines and is happy to learn the rest. V12 and pre-2007 cars suit someone who has done them before. Fault codes and electrical work need the right gear for that car, so ask about it plainly.
Tell us the model and what it needs. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
What you can do before it goes in
You can
- Check the book for the next service date.
- Check tyre pressures on cold tyres.
- Keep the battery on a maintainer if the manual allows, and the car sits for long stretches.
Leave to the mechanic
- The service, and the stamp in the book.
- Engine, gearbox and electrical faults.
- Fluid changes of any kind.
If it were ours
We'd sort the car by engine first. On an M177 V8, we'd look for real AMG experience. On a V12 or an older car, we'd insist on time with that exact model, and we'd be happy to wait for the right mechanic. Either way, we'd get a written estimate and keep every invoice with the book, because that history is part of what the car's worth.