What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Maserati Quattroporte.
The Maserati Quattroporte occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Maserati Quattroporte range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Maserati Quattroporte? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
IV (2004–2012) — Engine options included the 4.2L V8. We track 4 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Shock absorber bush failure (£400–£600 to address).
VI (2013–2021) — Petrol options included the 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo, with 3.0L V6 Diesel on the diesel side. 1 known issues affect this generation, none rated as critical. The most significant concern is Brake disc premature wear (£400–£600 to address).
The shock absorber mounting bushes on the 4.2L V8 Quattroporte fail at exceptionally high rates, with MOT data showing failure at 10.7 times the national fleet average. The rubber bushes deteriorate due to the car's weight and performance suspension setup, causing knocking noises over bumps and reduced handling precision. This is a well-documented weakness across the generation, with replacements typically lasting 30,000-40,000 miles before requiring renewal.
Failed shock absorber bushes reduce handling precision and allow excessive movement of the suspension assembly. While not immediately dangerous, the knocking noise is intrusive and the handling deterioration becomes pronounced. Replacement typically requires removal of the complete shock absorber assembly.
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 electronic parking brake system on 4.2L V8 models fails MOT testing at 4.9 times the national average, typically due to seized brake caliper mechanisms or worn brake pads specific to the rear axle. The system uses electric actuators to engage the rear brake calipers, and these actuators can seize or lose effectiveness over time, particularly when the car is not used regularly.
A parking brake that fails to meet minimum efficiency requirements will result in MOT failure and the car cannot be legally driven on the road. In severe cases where actuators have seized, the rear brakes may bind continuously, causing overheating and further damage to brake components.
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.
Suspension components on the 4.2L V8 models suffer from corrosion at 3.8 times the national fleet average, typically affecting control arms, subframe mounting points, and anti-roll bar components. The aluminium and steel components in the suspension system are vulnerable to galvanic corrosion, particularly where dissimilar metals meet, and road salt accelerates the process on UK cars.
Severely corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of control. Even moderate corrosion weakens the structural integrity of the suspension system and affects handling precision. Corroded components typically require complete replacement rather than repair.
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.
Coil springs on the 4.2L V8 Quattroporte fracture at 2.8 times the national fleet average, with the trend worsening according to recent MOT data. The springs are stressed by the car's 1,930kg kerb weight and performance suspension tuning. Spring failure typically occurs near the end coils and can happen without warning, causing sudden ride height loss and potential tyre damage.
A broken coil spring can cause sudden loss of ride height, potentially allowing the tyre to contact the wheel arch under compression. This creates a dangerous handling situation and can cause rapid tyre failure. The sharp end of a broken spring can also puncture the tyre.
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 3.0L diesel Quattroporte shows brake disc wear at 3.2 times the national fleet average, particularly in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. This appears to be related to the heavier kerb weight of diesel variants combined with aggressive brake pad compounds. The discs typically show scoring and thickness variation that causes brake judder before reaching minimum thickness limits.
Worn brake discs reduce braking efficiency and cause vibration that can be uncomfortable and indicate potential brake system problems. Severely scored discs may not be salvageable by skimming and will require complete replacement along with brake pads.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Maserati Quattroporte common problems page.
Based on 8k real DVSA MOT tests, the Maserati Quattroporte fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 16x the fleet average, followed by parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (15x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Maserati Quattroporte MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £180–£280 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include spark plugs (£200–£300), coolant flush (£300–£450).
See the full Maserati Quattroporte service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Maserati Quattroporte is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way.
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 Quattroporte, 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 Quattroporte issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.