Ferrari 550 Maranello buying guide

On a used Ferrari 550 Maranello, start with the fuel system: tanks leak, especially on 1997-'98 cars, and a recall covers the fuel pipe ferrule on cars built from January 1997 to August 1998. Ask what was done and who did it.

The 550 ran from 1997 to 2001 and put a front-engined V12 in place of the mid-engined Testarossa/512TR range, according to Classic Trader and Car Collector International. A six-speed manual was the only gearbox. Most cars were coupes, and the Barchetta Pininfarina roadster arrived in 2000 for Pininfarina's 70th anniversary.

Very little changed until the updated 575M arrived in 2002, so you are choosing between cars on their wheels, their service records and which fixes they have had. Our used 550 listings show what is for sale now, and the 550 market page covers each car on offer.

Run through these yourself at a viewing, then pay a specialist for a proper inspection.

• Ask for the full service history and walk away from a car without one.
• Book a pre-purchase inspection with a Ferrari specialist.
• Check the camshaft covers and the engine top and rear for oil weeping, and look for coolant leaks in the engine vee.
• Look under the car for leaks from the power steering rack, the fuel tanks and the transmission oil cooler.
• Ask for paperwork showing the fuel pipe ferrule, wheel and gearbox cooler recall work was carried out.
• Find out whether the wheels are the original Speedlines, magnesium or later replacements.
• Press the clutch pedal and note whether it bites high up, and listen for a noisy release bearing.
• Listen for a metallic rattle over rough surfaces, which can mean failing upper A-arm bushes.
• Inspect the engine undertray and the oil drain plug for damage.
• Make sure the red controller fob comes with the two black alarm fobs, because a missing red one makes coding a new alarm expensive.
• Feel for play at the steering mid-point on the road.
• Look at the aluminium panels for corrosion, and on a Barchetta check the footwells for water.

NHTSA holds six recall campaigns for 1997 to 2001 cars. The main ones cover fuel supply and return lines that can leak at the ferrule on 1997 to 1999 cars, magnesium wheel bolt inserts that can crack on 1997 to 1999 cars, and transmission oil lines that can leak and starve the gearbox of lubricant on 2001 cars. The others cover steering stiffening from overheated fluid (1997 to 1998), seat rails on 2001 Barchettas, and the handbrake ratchet on 2001 cars. A campaign for a model year doesn't mean every car was affected.

Owners have filed two complaints with NHTSA, one about air bags and one about the fuel or propulsion system. They are reports, not proven faults. Run the car's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to see which campaigns are still open.

Buy a regularly used car with a full specialist history. Classic Trader says high-mileage cars with good histories can be the most cost-effective way into ownership, and Classic & Sports Car and PistonHeads both prefer used cars to very low-mileage or idle ones. On a 1997-'98 car, insist on proof of the fuel line and tank work.

Skip any car with gaps in its service record, and any WSR claim that Ferrari documents don't back up. Then have a specialist look at the camshaft seals, cooling hoses and gearbox oil cooler before any money changes hands. If you are still comparing options, our used Ferrari listings cover the wider range.