The most affordable route into Ferrari ownership
Ferrari's entry-level grand tourer from 2008 to 2017, the California democratised Prancing Horse ownership with a folding hardtop, usable boot, and (relatively) approachable running costs. UK used prices now range from £57,500 to £155,000, with values declining steadily — base models lost 9.6% in the past year alone — making it the most accessible route into modern Ferrari ownership.
We track 5 known issues across the Ferrari California range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Ferrari California? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
California (2009–2014) — Engine options included the 4.3L V8. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is F1 Gearbox Clutch Wear.
California T (2014–2018) — Engine options included the 3.9L Twin-Turbo V8. We track 2 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is F1 Gearbox Clutch Wear.
The Ferrari F1 dual-clutch transmission uses two clutch packs that engage alternately for seamless gear changes. These clutches wear prematurely under normal driving conditions, particularly in stop-start traffic where the clutches slip frequently at low speeds. Unlike a manual clutch that engages fully, the F1 system modulates clutch engagement electronically, causing continuous wear. This is the most expensive maintenance item on the California.
Complete clutch replacement requires gearbox removal and costs £5,000-£10,000 at a Ferrari specialist. The car remains driveable with worn clutches but performance degrades and complete failure will leave the car immobile. Continued driving with severely worn clutches can damage the gearbox internals, increasing repair costs substantially.
Check each gear engages smoothly without crunching. Feel the clutch bite point — very high or very low can indicate wear. Listen for bearing noise when the clutch is depressed.
The California's retractable hardtop uses a complex hydraulic system with multiple sensors, pumps, and mechanical linkages to fold the roof into the boot. The system is sensitive to low hydraulic fluid, dirty fluid, or sensor misalignment. Common failure points include hydraulic pump wear, fluid leaks from seals, and position sensor drift causing the roof to stop mid-cycle. The system has multiple safety interlocks and will halt operation if any component reports an error, often leaving owners with a partially-folded roof that cannot be completed manually.
Roof mechanism failure can leave the car stuck with the roof partially open, making it unusable in poor weather and creating security concerns. Repair typically requires specialist hydraulic system knowledge and costs £3,000-£8,000 depending on whether pumps, sensors, or mechanical components need replacement. The car remains mechanically driveable but weather protection is compromised.
Check panel gaps are even and consistent all the way around the car. Look for signs of repainting — overspray on rubber seals, mismatched paint texture or colour differences between panels. Open and close all doors, the boot and bonnet to check alignment.
Early California models suffer from dashboard leather degradation where the surface coating breaks down in heat, becoming sticky to touch and developing a tacky residue. This affects the upper dashboard surface and door tops particularly on cars parked in direct sunlight. The leather shrinks and bubbles, creating an unsightly and unpleasant tactile experience. Ferrari later changed the leather treatment process to address this issue, making it primarily a problem for 2009-2012 production cars.
The condition is cosmetic but affects the premium feel of the interior significantly. Complete dashboard replacement costs £2,000-£5,000 at a Ferrari specialist. Re-covering by a specialist trimmer is possible for £1,000-£2,500 but may not match the original texture exactly. The issue does not affect vehicle safety or mechanical operation.
Check all interior functions: infotainment, heater controls, electric seats, dashboard displays and warning lights. Look for worn or damaged trim pieces. On cars with known interior electrical issues, a diagnostic scan is recommended.
The original California with the naturally aspirated 4.3L V8 shows accelerated wear of front suspension bushes, particularly the lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar bushes. MOT data shows this model fails suspension component tests at 17.5 times the national fleet average in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. The bushes are rubber-mounted and deteriorate faster than expected, likely due to the car's weight distribution and the loads generated during spirited driving on the front suspension.
Worn suspension bushes compromise handling precision and ride quality but do not create immediate safety concerns. However, they will cause MOT failure and should be replaced promptly. Left unaddressed, worn bushes increase stress on other suspension components and can lead to premature tyre wear. Replacement costs £400-£800 for a full front bush set.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The California shows shock absorber failure at 17.5 times the national fleet average, with failures recorded across low-mileage examples from 0-60,000 miles. The adaptive dampers are sophisticated but complex units that can develop internal seal leaks or electronic actuator faults. The magnetic dampers (MagneRide where fitted) contain ferrofluid that can deteriorate over time, leading to loss of adaptive capability and eventual fluid leakage.
Failed shock absorbers compromise ride comfort and handling safety, particularly in wet conditions where wheel contact with the road is critical for braking and cornering. The issue will cause MOT failure and should be addressed promptly. Shock absorber replacement on magnetic damper-equipped cars costs £800-£1,500 per corner due to the sophisticated technology involved.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Ferrari California common problems page.
Based on 10k real DVSA MOT tests, the Ferrari California fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 9x the fleet average, followed by suspension pin, bush or joint worn (7x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Ferrari California MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 12k miles) typically costs £200–£300 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include engine oil and filter (£200–£300), coolant flush (£200–£300), f1 gearbox oil (£400–£600).
See the full Ferrari California service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Ferrari California is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. The California T from 2015-2017 is the best buy: turbo engine, improved reliability, refined gearbox calibration, and better residual value trajectory. If budget dictates a naturally aspirated car, the 2012-2013 California 30 (with the Handling Speciale option if possible) offers the most sorted version of the original. Avoid 2009-2011 cars which had the most teething troubles.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Ferrari California, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Ferrari California issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.