Aston Martin’s Valkyrie hypercar has been plagued by problems since its release. One wealthy German car enthusiast paid €3 million for the vehicle in 2022, but it has been nothing but trouble. The car has had several technical issues, including an electrical fault warning after just 441 kilometers. This isn’t the first time the Valkyrie has had problems – the model was known to have technical defects even before it went on sale.
Repeated Failures
The Valkyrie’s issues started early on. The car’s electrical system malfunctioned, and it was damaged during transport to the repair shop. After being fixed, another problem arose with the Rocket Locker system, which is supposed to maintain constant pressure in the hydraulic suspension system. When this system failed, the car’s suspension collapsed. The owner said the Valkyrie had more defects “than all my other cars combined.”
A Close Call
Things took a turn for the worse in 2024 when the owner nearly got hit by an ambulance. The V12 engine was so loud that it drowned out the sound of the sirens. Luckily, the ambulance driver reacted quickly, and a potentially fatal accident was avoided. The car’s acoustic insulation is practically non-existent, so Aston Martin developed headphones that connect to external microphones to help the driver hear outside noises. However, this system failed to work properly, and the driver didn’t hear the ambulance until it was too late.
A Legal Battle
Frustrated with the repeated failures and Aston Martin’s refusal to acknowledge them, the owner has taken the company to court. He’s demanding a full refund and the cancellation of the purchase. Aston Martin claims the Valkyrie is a highly complex vehicle that requires specialized maintenance. They also say it was delivered in “impeccable condition.” If the owner returns the car, they’ll deduct around €64,000, which works out to about €145 per kilometer.
Jurisdictional Issues
The case has also raised jurisdictional questions. The owner’s lawyer filed the complaint in a German court, but Aston Martin argues that the case should be heard in a UK court, as that’s where the purchase was made and what’s stated in the sales contract. The owner’s lawyer counters that EU consumer protection laws allow him to file the complaint in his country of residence, regardless of where the car was bought.
The Valkyrie remains parked in the owner’s garage, unused since the ambulance incident. It’s a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of owning a high-performance vehicle.