What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Maserati Coupe.
The Maserati Coupe occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Maserati Coupe range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Maserati Coupe? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Type 387 (2002–2007) — Engine options included the 4.2L V8. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Front spring fracture (£300–£500 to address).
The front coil springs on the Maserati Coupe suffer from premature fracturing, failing at 9.7 times the national average according to MOT data. Spring fracture on a high-performance sports car is particularly dangerous due to the loss of suspension control and potential for wheel alignment changes. The issue appears across all mileage bands from 20,000 miles upwards, suggesting a materials or design weakness rather than normal wear.
A fractured front spring causes immediate loss of suspension control, unpredictable handling, and potential damage to surrounding components. The vehicle becomes dangerous to drive and should be repaired immediately. In extreme cases, spring fragments can damage brake lines or other critical components. Do not drive with a suspected broken spring.
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.
Brake pipes on the Maserati Coupe suffer from accelerated corrosion, failing MOT tests at 3.1 times the national average. This affects the rigid brake lines that run underneath the car, particularly where they are exposed to road salt and moisture. Brake pipe failure is classified as dangerous because it can result in complete loss of braking ability. The issue appears to worsen over time according to MOT trend data.
Corroded brake pipes can fail suddenly, resulting in complete loss of braking on the affected circuit. Modern cars have dual-circuit brake systems, but losing one circuit significantly reduces braking effectiveness and stopping distances. Brake pipe failure requires immediate repair and the vehicle should not be driven. Complete brake system overhaul may be required if corrosion is widespread.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The steering rack protective gaiters (rubber boots) on the Maserati Coupe deteriorate at an exceptionally high rate compared to other vehicles. These gaiters protect the steering rack from dirt and moisture ingress. When damaged or missing, contamination enters the rack causing internal wear and eventual failure. MOT data shows this model fails at 78.4 times the national average for gaiter damage, making it the most statistically significant fault on this chassis.
Damaged gaiters allow dirt and moisture to contaminate the steering rack internals, causing accelerated wear of the precision steering mechanism. Complete rack failure results in loss of steering control. A replacement steering rack costs £1,500-£2,500 plus fitting. Early gaiter replacement prevents costly rack damage.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The parking brake system on the Maserati Coupe frequently fails to meet minimum efficiency requirements during MOT testing, occurring at 7.9 times the national average. This typically indicates worn brake shoes, seized brake adjusters, or cable stretch in the rear drum brake system used for the parking brake. The issue is progressive and may not be immediately obvious to drivers but represents a significant safety concern on slopes.
Inadequate parking brake performance creates a serious safety risk when parking on slopes. The car may roll away causing property damage or injury. MOT failure is certain if the parking brake cannot achieve minimum efficiency. Repair typically involves adjustment, cable replacement, or rear brake shoe renewal.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Cambiocorsa automated manual transmission used in many Maserati Coupes is known for hydraulic system failures and actuator problems. The system uses hydraulic pressure to operate clutch and gear selection, with multiple solenoids and sensors that are prone to failure. When the system fails, the car may become stuck in gear, refuse to engage gears, or display transmission error messages. This is widely documented in owner communities as the most expensive non-engine failure mode.
Cambiocorsa transmission failure can leave the car immobilized or stuck in one gear. Repairs typically require specialist knowledge and expensive Maserati-specific parts including hydraulic pumps, solenoids, and control modules. A complete transmission overhaul can cost £3,000-£6,000. Some owners opt for manual transmission conversion to avoid repeat failures.
Test the automatic gearbox extensively in slow traffic, car parks and on hill starts. Feel for any juddering, hesitation or clunking during gear changes. Try repeated low-speed manoeuvres as this is where problems are most apparent.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Maserati Coupe common problems page.
Based on 3k real DVSA MOT tests, the Maserati Coupe fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is steering rack wear at 78x the fleet average, followed by suspension ball joints worn (53x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Maserati Coupe MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £180–£250 at an independent garage.
See the full Maserati Coupe service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Maserati Coupe has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
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 Maserati Coupe, 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 Maserati Coupe issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.