Maserati

The short version

Maserati sits in an awkward but appealing place: more exotic than a German saloon, less expensive than a Ferrari, and far less forgiving to own than either. The modern range runs from the Ghibli and Levante to the Quattroporte, GranTurismo and MC20, and each model has a different set of risks.

The brand's recent history includes several changes of owner and a push for volume that diluted residuals. That is good news for used buyers, because depreciation has been heavy, but the running costs have not fallen with the prices.

The models that define the brand

The Ghibli is the volume car, a compact saloon that shares its platform with the Quattroporte and uses V6 petrol and diesel engines. It is the cheapest way into the brand and the most common on the used market. The Levante applies the same idea to an SUV, with V6 and V8 options and a cabin that feels more special than its price suggests.

The Quattroporte is the large saloon. The fifth generation arrived in 2003 with a Ferrari-derived V8 and a DuoSelect gearbox, and the sixth generation moved to a ZF automatic and a wider range of engines. It is a genuine four-door grand tourer, but the electronics and suspension are complex.

The GranTurismo and GranCabrio are the cars most people picture. The 4.2 and 4.7 V8 engines were built by Ferrari, the early cars used a robotised manual before the ZF automatic arrived, and the styling has aged well. The MC20 is the modern supercar, with a carbon-fibre tub and a twin-turbo V6 developed in house.

The 3200 GT and Spyder of the late 1990s marked the brand's return to a wider market, with a twin-turbo V8 and a shape that still looks modern. The Coupé and Spyder that followed used the same platform and the 4.2 V8, and they are now the cheapest route into a Ferrari-derived engine. Treat them as projects rather than appliances, because parts are scarce and the electronics are fragile.

What it costs to own

Expect a routine service on a Ghibli or Levante to fall between £500 and £1,000, with the V8 and older V6 cars higher. The GranTurismo is a different matter: its Ferrari-built V8 uses expensive consumables, and a major service with belts, fluids and filters can run to £1,500 or more at a specialist.

Tyres are £700 to £1,200 a set on the saloons and SUVs, and more on the GranTurismo and MC20. Brakes are a four-figure item on the faster cars, and carbon-ceramic discs on the MC20 are very expensive to replace. Budget for a specialist inspection on any car over five years old, and keep a contingency of a few thousand pounds for the first year.

Known weak points

• GranTurismo V8: cam variator and timing chain wear, oil consumption, and expensive clutch or gearbox work on early cars.
• Ghibli and Quattroporte: electrical faults, infotainment failures and sensor problems.
• Suspension: worn bushes, damper leaks and Skyhook faults on cars with adaptive damping.
• Parts: long lead times for trim, glass and model-specific components.
• Depreciation: heavy on volume models, which affects resale more than reliability.
• MC20: early cars are still under warranty, but body and carbon repairs are specialised.

What to check before buying

Ask for the full service history and confirm which specialist has maintained the car. On a GranTurismo, check the variator and timing chain work, listen for a rattle on cold start, and confirm the clutch wear reading on robotised cars.

On a Ghibli or Levante, test every electrical function, including the infotainment, the seats, the windows and the climate control. Check the suspension for leaks and noises over rough ground. Confirm that parts are available for the specific trim before you commit, and make sure the car comes with two keys and the latest software.

Market and depreciation

The GranTurismo has been the strongest modern Maserati, and clean 4.7 cars hold value better than the earlier 4.2. The MC20 is still in its early depreciation phase, and the Quattroporte has fallen a long way from new.

Ghibli and Levante values have dropped sharply, which makes a used one tempting but exposes you to further losses. Limited editions and the Trofeo versions carry a premium. The GranCabrio asks a little more than the coupe in good weather markets, but the folding roof is another mechanism to check.

Who it suits

Maserati suits a buyer who wants an Italian car with a real character and is not looking for a sensible financial decision. It also suits someone who enjoys the ownership experience and has a specialist nearby. It rewards an owner who researches the model before buying. It does not suit a buyer who wants low running costs or a car that can be fixed anywhere.

How this profile was compiled

This profile draws on Maserati's published model information, owner reports from Maserati Life, and current UK market listings. It is a buying guide, not a road test.