Smashed Aston Martin up for auction

All profits of the auction will go towards Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD). Photo / SNPA

A smashed Aston Martin sports car, which was written off when a Chinese tourist crashed into a light pole last year, has been put up for auction.

All profits will go towards Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), when the $200,000 Aston Martin Rapide goes under the hammer on Friday, February 7.

The car slammed into a light pole last October when tourist Weihao Chen took a bend too fast and lost control on Auckland's Tamaki Drive.

He was originally charged with dangerous driving and drink-driving, but the latter charge was dropped in court last week.

Now Turners Auctions has put the 2010 blue sedan on Trade Me, where bidding is already over $11,000.

"The Aston Martin Rapide, a brand synonymous with British automotive history and James Bond's car marque of choice, this V12, 550 break [sic] horse power vehicle was a thing of beauty," the listing reads.

"The Aston Martin was seriously damaged in a single car collision on Tamaki Drive in October last year. The driver walked away with only minor injuries. The car was acquired by Turners as part of the Cash Now programme.

"If successful, we can organise transportation to anywhere in New Zealand at reasonable rates."

The car had a "crazy" $1 reserve price.

However, it comes with a warning.

"This is a damaged vehicle. Even if registered the vehicle may require additional work to get it road worthy."

Last week Chen, 26, was disqualified from driving for nine months, fined $750 and $130 court costs, after admitting to a charge of dangerous driving.

Auckland District Court also heard how he had already forked out almost $15,000 to Auckland Transport to replace the power pole.