Used car buying guide: Aston Martin Rapide | Autocar (2024)

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Aston Martin’s luxury saloon wasn’t a huge success, but it has matured into a fine second-hand buy. We find out more

Standard equipment included a six-speed automatic gearbox with sport mode, adaptive dampers and, of course, four doors. The rears don’t open very wide, making it difficult to climb in, but it’s worth the effort just to slot into those richly upholstered bucket seats, one elbow resting on the deep transmission tunnel, the other on the door armrest.

Find a used Aston Martin Rapide on PistonHeads

Stefan Jordan reckons he ferried his 6ft 2in frame and three big colleagues home from a customer demonstration experience in Germany, and they all emerged fresh as a daisy. He is a salesman, though…

The rear seats fold down as standard, helping to turn the Rapide into a useful load carrier, although don’t expect room for more than a couple of largish bags. If you’re tempted by a Rapide Lux of 2010, make sure it has its bespoke Aston luggage set, which fits a treat.

In 2012 the V12’s power was upped from 470bhp to 549bhp and the model renamed Rapide S. At the same time, the body was stiffened, the suspension revised and the cabin refreshed, and the car gained a larger grille. In short, it was much improved, if just as noisy as before.

In 2015 it gained the excellent eight-speed ZF Touchtronic III gearbox and a pair of more powerful Bosch ECUs, plus a hike in power to 552bhp.

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Prices start at around £73,000 forapproved used examples. But you don’t need to pay that, as those tempting, sub-£40,000 launch cars prove.

An expert’s view

Stefan Jordan, Fisher Performance: “As a former Aston Martin salesman, I sold Rapides. They were hard work at first, but once we started pitching them as a sports car with rear seats, things became easier. They’re a cracking car but overlooked and understated. It’s a squeeze getting into the back, but once you’re there, there’s no finer place to be – except behind the wheel. My used pick would be a 2011 or 12-reg Rapide with 40,000 miles, in Quantum Silver with Obsidian Black leather, optional rear entertainment and cooled seats [both of which were £2500 extras]. If I wanted a Rapide S, I’d take an early eight-speed over a late six-speed.”

Buyer beware…

Engine: The V12 is reliable and most are serviced on the button by main dealers. If a specialist has touched it, check they’re respected, but a full Aston history is really what you want to see, for future resale if nothing else.

Servicing: Intervals are every 10,000 miles; main dealers charge £800 or so. At 70,000 miles the spark plugs are changed, costing an additional £800. Air filters are £280 every 20,000 miles.

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Transmission: ZF six-speed and later eight-speed gearboxes are tough, but run through the usual checks feeling for hesitant or jerky changes and that the various modes make discernible differences.

Brakes and suspension: The Rapide is heavy, so the Brembo brakes are likely to have taken a hammering. Check the front discs for lipping. They are around £600 a set, with pads. Check the adaptive dampers for leaks, and that the car sits level and the suspension modes work.

Bodywork: Only a flawless finish will do. Galvanic corrosion (where steel and alloy meet) is rare but not unknown.

Interior: It goes without saying that you should check that every last switch works. The wiring looms for the windows can play up due to water ingress, so check the glass rises and falls smoothly.

Also worth knowing

Premium tyres are always a good sign that a car has been well maintained regardless of expense. In the Rapide’s case, it goes further still, though, because not only should they be Bridgestone Potenzas but also Bridgestone Potenza Aston Martin rated. They have a stiffer sidewall.

How much to spend

£36,000-£39,995: Clean, early 2010-reg cars, most with full Aston Martin histories and around 60,000 miles, and all in good colours.

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£40,000-£49,995: Good spread of 2011-reg Rapides, most with around 40,000 miles and with good specifications.

£50,000-£50,995: Lower mileage (around 20,000) 2010-11 Rapides in perfect condition.

£60,000-£69,995: The first, 2013-reg Rapide S examples, rising to approved used 2014s at the upper end.

£70,000-£90,000: First 2015-registered eight-speed Rapide S cars starting at around £73,000, plus plenty more 2016-reg examples around £85,000.

One we found

Aston Martin Rapide, 2011/11, 62,000 miles, £43,490: This dealer car in desirable Meteor Silver comes with ventilated black leather seats, a B&O sound system and a full Aston Martin service history. At less than 25% of its new price, it looks like something of a steal.

John Evans

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