Ferrari 812 (Superfast and GTS) buying guide

The GTS shares the Superfast's mechanical foundation, with extra reinforcement to make up for the missing roof. If you want open air, the used 812 GTS listings are the place to start, with written recall proof as your first filter.

CarsCounsel names 2023 and 2024 as the best years for refined electronics and minimal recall exposure. It also calls the 2022 to 2024 Competizione the best enthusiast choice, with peak naturally aspirated V12 performance. PistonHeads dates the Competizione to 2021, so the sources differ on when it began.

The Competizione came as a coupe or an A (Aperta) open-top, with 999 coupes and 599 open-tops planned. Its engine has new pistons, titanium rods and a lighter crank, giving 830hp at 9,250rpm and a 9,500rpm redline. Carbon fibre bodywork takes out 38kg, vortex generators stand in for the rear screen, and the rear wheels steer independently.

Ferrari sells options a la carte, so no two cars are specced alike. Luxury Products World reckons the more carbon fibre in a spec, the more desirable the car, and that white on red or yellow on black may take longer to sell than red on tan. The 812 GTS price guide shows how the open car's market moves by year.

Rear window bonding

On 2018 to 2020 Superfast cars, a recall covers a rear window that may have been bonded incorrectly. In the worst case it can detach and fall into the road. The remedy is a replacement window, free of charge.

Brake cap vacuum

The brake fluid reservoir cap may fail to vent, which creates a vacuum that can leak fluid and leave the car with partial or total loss of braking. The recall spans 2018 to 2022 Superfast, GTS and Competizione cars. The fix is a new cap at no charge and, on some models, an instrument panel software update.

Engine oil leaks

Cars from before 2020 can have oil pooling on the engine, caused by a warped cover over the solenoid valves. Replacement gaskets and plates did not always cure it, because the early plates warped too. Some leaks were instead traced to porous intake manifold castings.

12V battery heat

The battery sits above the exhaust manifold, and heat degrades it. It needs constant voltage, and a drop can set off a string of warning lights or leave the car unable to start.

Gearbox seals and sensors

Weak points in the dual-clutch gearbox are the speed sensor and the pump spindle seal, usually after 40,000 to 60,000 km or 5 to 6 years.

MagneRide damper leaks

Expect the adaptive dampers to leak oil, typically after 40,000 to 60,000 km.

Sticky interior buttons

The rubberised coating on interior buttons can turn tacky, mainly on 2017 to 2019 cars.

Minor electrical niggles

Some owners report the start-stop inoperable warning light coming on when it should not. Misaligned body panels, minor Bluetooth issues and moisture in the headlights turn up on some cars too.

Ferrari's 7-year maintenance programme covers scheduled maintenance including parts, oil, brake fluid and labor, and it is transferable, according to PistonHeads and Kelley Blue Book. Confirm how much of it is left on any car you consider, and see how much a Ferrari costs for purchase figures.

Once the programme ends, carchecker.pro puts annual servicing at €1,800 to €3,000, and total maintenance at €5,000 to €9,500 a year at 15,000 km annually. It also quotes roughly €1,800 to €2,000 per OEM MagneRide damper, €8,000 to €12,000 for a full gearbox rebuild at a Ferrari dealer, and more than €6,000 for dealer interior refinishing. These are the source's euro figures, not US quotes.

For the strongest V12, find a Competizione. For a regular 812, CarsCounsel's pick is the 2023 car for its cleaner electronics and thinner recall record. If the open roof matters, a GTS is fine, but compare it with the Superfast in the 812 Superfast price guide before you commit.

Treat an early GTS as a candidate only with written proof that the rear window, brake cap and fuel vapor separator campaigns are closed. Skip any pre-2020 car whose seller cannot say which solenoid valve cover plates are fitted, since the early replacements warped as well. A battery that tests weak under its exhaust manifold is the cheapest warning you will get.