Ferrari Roma

What the Roma is and which car this entry covers

The Roma is a front-engined 2+2 coupe with a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 612 bhp and 760 Nm, an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive. Ferrari quotes 3.4 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed beyond 320 km/h. Production began in 2019 and the coupe sits below the 296 and above the Portofino M in the range.

This guide covers the coupe only. The Roma Spider arrived later with a folding fabric roof and a longer model cycle; its boot, body structure and roof mechanism are different. A seller describing a convertible as a Roma, or a Roma as a Spider, is mixing two distinct entries.

We have not driven this model for this article. This desk-researched ownership guide uses Ferrari's official Roma model page, PistonHeads' used buying guide from November 2024 and the DVSA vehicle recall service. The PistonHeads guide is a detailed used assessment, but it is not a failure census and its observations should lead to individual inspection rather than a prediction about every car.

Engine, gearbox and driving systems

The 3,855 cc flat-plane V8 uses Variable Boost Management to shape torque delivery across the rev range. The 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox came from the SF90 programme and is lighter than the 7-speed it replaced, with a proper reverse gear rather than a manoeuvring mode. PistonHeads notes the gearbox change as one of the car's meaningful improvements over the Portofino.

Start the engine cold and listen for unusual noise. Check the service invoices for annual maintenance, oil and filter changes and any diagnostic work. The seven-year maintenance programme covers scheduled servicing at 20,000 km or annually, and the four-year UK warranty can be extended. Confirm which coverage remains on the specific car and whether any extended warranty has been transferred.

Chassis, brakes and the aerodynamic package

Side Slip Control 6.0 and the Dynamic Enhancer work together in Race mode. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 390 mm front and 360 mm rear discs are standard, so measure disc and pad condition rather than accepting a visual estimate. The Magneride adaptive damper option was priced at around 2,900 pounds at the time of the guide, so confirm whether the car has it and test each damper setting.

The rear spoiler has three positions and works with front vortex generators to produce 95 kg more downforce at 250 km/h than the Portofino. Check that the spoiler deploys and retracts smoothly and that the underbody panels are undamaged. The car is fitted with 245/35 front and 285/35 rear 20-inch tyres; check date codes, tread depth and inner-edge wear against an alignment report.

Electrical behaviour and known build issues

PistonHeads records that the electronic handbrake can fail to release, leaving the car immobile. It also lists electrical gremlins including doors locking and unlocking randomly, headlights self-activating and a voice control button that failed for two weeks before recovering. Many of these faults are battery-driven, so test every switch, light and lock and ask for the battery's age and condition.

For cars built between January and August 2021, the rear door pillar identification plates carried incorrect weight information and were replaced under a campaign. A campaign affecting a specific build period does not apply to every car, so check the vehicle identification number with the DVSA recall service and ask for evidence of completed work.

Cabin, comfort and inspection

The cabin has a 10.2-inch display and a passenger-side screen option. Test the infotainment, navigation, climate control, seats, mirrors and all lighting. Check the condition of the leather, the stitching and the soft-touch surfaces for wear or stickiness. Confirm the boot carpet and spare equipment are present.

The 80-litre fuel tank and official consumption figures suggest a realistic range of around 370 miles in mixed use. Check the fuel gauge accuracy and inspect for leaks or smells around the filler and tank. Ask for invoices covering any fuel system work.

Paperwork, campaigns and pre-purchase checks

Match the service file to the mileage and dates. Ferrari's maintenance programme and warranty terms are transferable between owners, but only if the service record is complete. Use the DVSA recall service and obtain retailer confirmation of completed or outstanding campaigns, including the door-pillar plate work where applicable.

Commission a specialist inspection that reads the diagnostic memory, checks the gearbox clutch condition, measures the brakes and tests the electronic handbrake repeatedly. Ask for a written report that separates measured findings from the seller's account.

Wheels, tyres and touring consumables

The Roma rides on 20-inch wheels with 245/35 front and 285/35 rear tyres, sizes that suit its grand touring role but carry a real replacement cost. Check the date codes and tread depth on all four corners and relate any uneven wear to a recent alignment report. A car covering long distances regularly will wear consumables predictably, while one used only for short trips may show aged tyres with plenty of tread. Ask for invoices covering brake fluid and pads, and confirm the condition of the carbon-ceramic discs rather than assuming they last indefinitely. Factor the cost of a full consumable refresh into the offer where measurements show it is due.

We have not driven this model for this article. No present valuation, investment assurance or universal failure rate is offered. The Roma's ownership value is its combination of a front-engined V8 layout, a modern gearbox and a cabin that suits daily use. Buy on documented service history, a completed recall check and a specialist inspection of the electrical and braking systems, not on the model's name alone.