The certification inspection for warranty must be done from the dealer. If you just want a PPI to ensure the car is solid inside and out; a good indy can handle. I think the AM inspection is around (from my dealer) is $550? If the bill rate is higher in your locale, I bet the inspection is more too. I'd be concerned about the paint condition, especially the clear coat over the exposed carbon fiber. Checking for body work may be different than checking on a metal car. Make sure there's no damage from incorrect jacking underneath. Check the leather around the waterfall for shrinking and top of dash for shrinking & warping.

For me, the dealer is it for all service. They have worked on multiple cars I have owned and do a ton of business fixing all sorts of exotics. If I owned a Ferrari, it would be highly likely I go to them for that (which they charge less on than AM). They are 14 miles from my house.

 

I’ve had a few Aston’s...on my 5th, which is my current 2014 Vanquish. I Love the car!!....traded my previous 2011 DBS for it with absolutely No regrets.
Here is what to look for when perusing an Aston:
Ask if there is a history of “Emissions” warning
Check that the fuel lid button works (commonly stick)
Check door struts on swan doors keep doors open - they go bad after a while
Make sure AC blows cold air
Inspect leather interior carefully - driver bolster, dash, headliner....smell of the unique Aston leather

I have a few exotics with CCB’s ...they do Not squeak. But on my last DBS they did and it was annoying. Current Vanquish does not.

6 speed transmission on mine is good enough for a GT daily driver...no issues with it whatsoever....reminds me a bit of my old 2015 V12VS in terms of shifts...

Get it!!! Most elegant modern design ever...I just don’t like the recent gen design.

 

For vehicle look up for the basics - try :

https://technicalhub.astonmartin.com...cle/lookupForm

 

The dealer not giving maintenance history is case by case basis. I was looking at a DB9 GT that had a carfax show it was serviced at a different dealer. I politely emailed the service manager of the dealership that serviced it and requested the service history and they were fine with sending a redacted copy. Usually they use a sharpie or just cut off the top of the service info that has the previous owners info. Didn't get it because it had engine issue from the start based on what I could understand from the service history. Oddly I got a second email stating they couldn't send the records from someone else but a different person did send them.