The only four-door Aston Martin ever produced, built from 2010 to 2020 across Rapide, Rapide S, and Rapide AMR variants. The naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 is widely considered one of Aston Martin's most robust engines, and many examples exceed 100,000 km without major powertrain issues when maintained on schedule. Initially assembled by Magna Steyr in Austria to a high standard, production moved to Gaydon in 2012. Running costs are typical of a hand-built British GT car: routine servicing is manageable, but any repair involving inlet manifold removal (coil packs, PCV valves, spark plugs) becomes labour-intensive.
Robust naturally aspirated V12
High build quality for the class
Labour-intensive engine access
Aluminium body prone to corrosion
Buy if: You want a usable four-door GT with a proven V12 and can commit to specialist maintenance at recommended intervals.
Avoid if: You cannot budget for four-figure repair bills or need a car that tolerates infrequent use without a battery conditioner.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
Common Problems
12 coil packs degrade with age; replacement requires inlet manifold removal (10+ hour job) · more· less
The V12 uses 12 individual coil packs that degrade over time, causing misfires, rough running, and check engine lights. Replacement is labour-intensive because the inlet manifolds must be removed to access them, a process that takes a minimum of 10 hours. Aston Martin NGK coils cost approximately €60-80 each (€720-960 for all 12), but aftermarket alternatives exist for around €30 each. The spark plugs should be replaced at the same time (recommended interval 110,000 km), as should the inlet manifold gaskets and injector seals which are not reusable. Total cost at a dealer can reach €3,500-4,000; a specialist typically charges €1,500-2,500. Many owners report misfires beginning between 60,000 and 100,000 km.
Rubber beak-type PCV valves become brittle, allowing oil to exit through the breather system · more· less
The V12 uses beak-type PCV valves within rubber pipes that become brittle over time. When a valve fails and stays open, oil is drawn out with crankcase gases back into the inlet manifold. In severe cases, up to 0.5 litres of oil can be lost every 1,600 km. Symptoms include oil visible on the air filters, increased oil consumption, and blue smoke. The valves themselves are inexpensive (under €50 each), but access requires removing the inlet manifolds, making the labour the dominant cost. Specialists recommend replacing PCV valves whenever coil packs or spark plugs are serviced to avoid paying for the same labour twice. Left unchecked, sustained oil loss can lead to oil starvation affecting the rearmost cylinders (6 and 12).
Bilstein or Multimatic adaptive dampers develop oil leaks, typically after 60,000-80,000 km · more· less
The Rapide uses electronically controlled adaptive dampers that can develop oil seepage or outright leaks as they age. Symptoms include uneven ride quality, one corner sitting lower than others, and warning messages on the dash. Replacement cost is approximately €500-800 per damper for parts, with labour adding considerably due to the complexity. A full set replacement at a dealer can exceed €5,000. Some owners report early failure at 40,000-50,000 km, though most last 80,000 km or more. Verify all suspension modes function correctly during a test drive and check for oil residue on the damper bodies.
Galvanic corrosion where aluminium meets steel causes paint blistering, especially around wing vents and mirror mounts · more· less
The Rapide's aluminium body panels can develop corrosion at points where different metals meet, causing paint bubbling. Common locations include the front wing vents, door bottoms, and wing mirror mounts. The aluminium alloy is porous and combined with water-based paints, moisture can penetrate beneath the surface. Early production cars (2010-2012) are more susceptible, and the Rapide generally suffers less than the DB9. Repair involves stripping the panel, treating the corrosion, and repainting, costing €1,000-1,500 per panel at a specialist bodyshop. Aston Martin offers a 10-year anti-perforation warranty, but cosmetic paint bubbling is typically excluded.
OEM radiator assembly swells from heat cycles, leading to cracks at plastic end-tank seams · more· less
The original radiator assembly (incorporating radiator, A/C condenser, and fans) is prone to swelling and deformation from repeated heat cycling. The plastic end-tanks eventually crack at the seams, causing slow coolant leaks. An OEM replacement assembly costs approximately €1,100-1,200. Uprated aluminium aftermarket radiators are available from specialists like David Appleby Engineering for around €700. Labour for replacement typically adds €300-500. This is a straightforward job compared to most V12 repairs and is commonly addressed between 80,000 and 120,000 km. Always use phosphate-free OAT coolant and vacuum-fill the system to avoid air locks.
Multiple always-on systems drain the 12V battery within 7-14 days when parked without a charger · more· less
The Rapide has numerous systems that remain active when parked, including the alarm, tracker module, and various control units. Combined parasitic draw of 40-75 mA will flatten the battery within one to two weeks. Known culprits include the aftermarket tracker (common on insured Astons), the alarm sounder's internal battery (5-7 year lifespan), and the transmission control module. A dead battery can cause cascading electrical faults including inoperative windows, seats, and mirrors that require a dealer reset. The solution is to keep the car permanently on a quality trickle charger (CTEK MXS 5.0 or 7.0 recommended) and select reduced guard mode when the car will be stationary for extended periods.
Rubber valve cover gaskets harden from heat cycling, causing oil weeping from the cam covers · more· less
The rubber gaskets sealing the valve covers to the V12 cylinder heads harden and shrink over time from heat exposure, causing oil leaks. Over 95% of cases are caused by the gasket rather than the cover itself. The repair requires removing the inlet manifolds (same access issue as coil packs), making the labour the dominant cost. If one side is leaking, both should be done simultaneously since the manifold removal labour is the same either way. Specialists recommend combining this with coil pack and PCV valve replacement to avoid paying for manifold removal multiple times. Typical occurrence is between 80,000 and 120,000 km.
Communication error between ECM and TCM can prevent the park pawl from engaging (recall issued) · more· less
Certain 2010-2015 Rapide models equipped with the 6-speed Touchtronic II were subject to a recall for a communication error between the Engine Control Module and the Transmission Control Module. This error can cause the transmission park pawl to remain disengaged, allowing the car to roll when placed in Park. A separate recall addressed a chrome-plated circuit board in the 8-speed Touchtronic III that could cause the gearbox to shift to neutral without driver input. Both issues were addressed by free dealer recalls, but on a used car it is essential to verify with Aston Martin that these recalls have been completed.
Robust powertrain but high labour costs when repairs are needed
The Rapide's V12 has earned a strong reputation for durability, and many examples exceed 100,000 km without major engine issues. The gearbox (whether 6-speed or 8-speed ZF) is similarly robust. However, the V12's packaging means that even routine items like coil packs and PCV valves require expensive inlet manifold removal. Combine multiple jobs in a single service visit to avoid paying for manifold removal repeatedly. The biggest ownership risks are labour-intensive engine access, adaptive damper leaks, and aluminium corrosion. Battery drain is almost universal and requires a trickle charger. Cars with complete specialist service history and verified recalls are significantly lower risk.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Transmission park pawl engagement failure (2010-2015 with 6-speed Touchtronic II)
Verify completed
Touchtronic III circuit board causing unintended neutral shift (2014 Rapide S)
Verify completed
Throttle pedal arm fracture risk (May 2012 - April 2013 production)
Critical - verify completed
Contact Aston Martin with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The throttle pedal arm recall is particularly important for 2012-2013 production cars, as a broken pedal arm results in complete loss of throttle control.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / unlimited km)
Expired on most used Rapide models
Anti-perforation warranty (10 years)
May still apply on 2016+ cars, check with Aston Martin
Extended warranty (Premium service contract)
Available for cars under 10 years / unlimited km, subject to inspection
Most used Rapide models are outside their original 3-year factory warranty. Aston Martin offers extended Premium service contracts for up to 10 years from first registration, with zero deductible, subject to a multi-point inspection. These are worth investigating for cars still within the eligibility window.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.