As the value of your car appears to be no protection against a service department's mediocrity and complacency (just ask Harry about servicing his ΂£65K RS6), I knew that when the time came to service the DB7 it would be as revealing an insight into Aston ownership as any I have experienced to date.

I decided early on that TFU would be fettled at Aston's Works Service department, which is based at Newport Pagnell. While it's true to say that any AM dealer would happily carry out such routine maintenance, there's a certain kudos about having your car tended at the world-famous epicentre of Aston. Besides which, Newport Pagnell is my closest AM service centre. Handy that.
The Works Service surroundings have a familiar plate-glass and polished-floor ambience, but from the moment you walk through the door it feels more like an expensive hotel than a workshop waiting area. There's no unseemly haggling over a courtesy car either, because the service isn't offered. If you come with your car, you wait with your car. That said, if you haven't the time or inclination to accompany your car, then Works Service will arrange the collection and return of your car, whether you live in London or Lisbon.

I'm greeted by Kevin Moore, one of Works Service's main points of contact for customers. It's his job to ensure visiting customers are kept informed of how work is progressing, and also if there are any faults or niggles that need looking at while the car is in.

'We have such a variety of models in at any one time,' explains Moore, 'and such a range of work that's being done that every day is different. Some of our technicians actually built cars like the DB5 and 6 when they were new, so we can act as advisors for dealerships who need help with a classic, but we're equally able to rebuild an accident-damaged Vanquish. Our aim isn't to compete with our dealers but complement the service they provide.'

Truth is, many customers just fancy turning their visit into a day out, soaking up the atmosphere and having a nose around the packed workshop. Some overseas customers, such as the German couple who arrived shortly after me in an extraordinary Virage Shooting Brake, combine the trip to Works Service with a touring holiday in the UK. Others drive the car to the UK, fly home, then fly back to collect it when the work is completed. It's about as bespoke as car servicing gets.

With more than 1700 cars passing through the Works Service workshop every year it's the busiest AM workshop in the world. No surprise, really, as it is capable of anything from basic pre-delivery inspections to a full nut and bolt restoration.

TFU is in for its first intermediate service, at 7500 miles. It's a pretty straightforward job. The V12's engine oil is refreshed with Mobil 1 and the filter replaced, along with numerous safety and wear-rate checks on brake pads, tyres, suspension and back axle. TFU's assigned technician is Glenn Horan, who's been with Works Service for three years. He, like his colleagues, has a calm, methodical approach, working through the job list with well-drilled confidence, despite having a nosy journo and snapper in tow.

Service completed, four new Bridgestone S-02s fitted (they had a couple of thousand miles left on them but we've got some big drives planned), and a final On-Board Diagnostic check for fault warnings, Glenn then takes the car out on a 15-minute road test to make sure all is well. It is, leaving time for a thorough valet before the keys are handed back, along with the dreaded invoice. Subtracting the tyres, which account for an eye-watering ΂£780, the actual service cost ΂£556.98, hardly a pittance admittedly, but not too bad considering the rarefied atmosphere the DB7 inhabits. Just ask Harry about his RS6.