Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Qwertytam, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Front-engined grand tourer with a naturally aspirated V12: 485 hp for the 550 Maranello (1996-2002, manual gearbox only, with the limited-run Barchetta convertible), 515 hp for the 575M Maranello (2002-2006, manual or F1 automated gearbox) and 540 hp for the Superamerica with its retractable hard top. What Car? considers that a Ferrari from this period is no longer synonymous with repeated breakdowns and that the V12 is regarded as robust, but buying guides point to the clutch, engine leaks, the F1 gearbox hydraulics and the magnesium wheels of the first 550s. A well-documented service history (timing belt every three years on the 550) and a pre-purchase inspection by a Ferrari specialist are essential.
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €116,950 – €325,000
- Monthly cost
- €2,422
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle, 575M Maranello V12 5.7 F1.
550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 485 hp · 23.0 L/100 km · Crit'Air unclassified
5.5 L V12 of 5,474 cm³ at 65 degrees, 485 hp, 6-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, 200 L boot (L'argus). The only gearbox offered across the whole production run (Petrolicious). L'Automobile Sportive gives 23 L/100 km combined. RAC considers a low-mileage 550 more satisfying than a 575M without the GTC pack.
550 Barchetta V12 5.5 manuelle
Petrol · Manual · 485 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
Roadster limited to 448 cars (L'Automobile Sportive, Petrolicious; 460 according to Classic & Sports Car), same 485 hp V12 and same manual gearbox. The manual soft top is only meant for parking or low-speed use (100 km/h maximum according to L'Automobile Sportive).
575M Maranello V12 5.7 manuelle
Petrol · Manual · 515 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
5.7 L V12 of 5,748 cm³ and 515 hp, 6-speed manual gearbox, 200 L boot (Auto titre). Wikipedia counts 246 Ferrari 575Ms with a manual gearbox out of 2,056 built.
575M Maranello V12 5.7 F1
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 515 hp · 449 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air unclassified
Same 515 hp V12 with the 6-speed F1 sequential automated gearbox, chosen by most buyers (RAC). RAC recommends a 575M with the F1 gearbox and the GTC handling pack (carbon-ceramic brakes): without that pack, it considers the 550 more satisfying. Auto titre gives 449 g/km of CO2.
575 Superamerica V12 5.7 F1
Petrol · Automatic · 540 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
Version with the electrochromic 'Revocromico' retractable hard top, 540 hp V12 (Auto titre, Supercars.net). 559 cars built, 43 of them with a manual gearbox (Supercars.net; L'Automobile Sportive for the total). This sheet only covers the F1 version.
Market prices
€116,950 – €325,000
Indicative range: 1997 to 2005, annual medians from 19 online listings collected by AutoUncle (550 Maranello: 10 listings from 1997 to 2001; 575M Maranello: 9 listings from 2002 to 2005).
Collected on 15 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Cracked magnesium or Speedline wheels (first 550s)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyPetrolicious says the 550s built from 1997 to 1999 had magnesium wheels that cracked around the wheel bolt inserts, and that Ferrari replaced all of them with aluminium wheels. What Car? confirms that the first 550s had to swap their magnesium wheels for aluminium ones, and Classic & Sports Car adds that the original Speedline wheels were recalled for cracking and replaced with BBS wheels (to be checked on each wheel). A safety defect, although the recall has corrected it.
- Versions
- 550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clutch wear
Severity 2/3 · CostlyClassic & Sports Car gives a clutch life of 40,000 to 50,000 miles if it is not abused, and advises checking for a high biting point or a noisy release bearing. L'Automobile Sportive puts the cost of replacing the clutch on a 550 at at least €3,000, 'probably the low end of the range', and recommends asking when it was last replaced. On F1 575Ms, Friends Car Rental describes the clutch as a part that wears quickly with low-speed manoeuvring, with wear checked by diagnostic, and Supercars.net advises checking the clutch history on 550s and 575Ms.
- Versions
- 550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle, 550 Barchetta V12 5.5 manuelle, 575M Maranello V12 5.7 manuelle, 575M Maranello V12 5.7 F1, 575 Superamerica V12 5.7 F1
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
F1 gearbox: hydraulic pump and actuator
Severity 2/3 · CostlySupercars.net says the F1 systems of the 575M can suffer from hydraulic pump and actuator problems, and advises looking for a recent service of the system. Friends Car Rental lists the 575M among the Ferraris affected by F1 gearbox failure (slow or jerky shifts, a pump that runs constantly, a car that will not engage a gear when started), caused by the hydraulic pump, a worn clutch sensor or leaking actuator seals. RAC also notes a smell of hot clutch during manoeuvring and jolts on poorly synchronised downshifts.
- Versions
- 575M Maranello V12 5.7 F1, 575 Superamerica V12 5.7 F1
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Worn steering and suspension
Severity 2/3 · CostlyPetrolicious estimates the life of the steering racks at around 30,000 miles (watch for play around the centre point), and says the suspension bushes, especially the upper wishbone bushes, can fail prematurely with a metallic rattle on poor roads. Classic & Sports Car reports leaks from the front power steering racks. Supercars.net mentions worn bushes and ball joints (knocking, imprecise steering) on 550s and 575Ms.
- Versions
- 550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle, 550 Barchetta V12 5.5 manuelle
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Engine leaks: camshaft seals and hoses under the manifold
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingPetrolicious notes that the camshaft seals of this V12 (close to that of the 456) weep, and that oil can reach the timing belt if left unchecked. The coolant hoses under the intake manifold, exposed to high heat, crack. Classic & Sports Car mentions coolant leaks inside the V under the manifold (failed hoses) and oil leaks at the top and rear of the engine. What Car? also mentions a very small number of cars with leaking radiator hoses. RAC also reports a rocker cover weeping on the 575M.
- Versions
- 550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle, 550 Barchetta V12 5.5 manuelle
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sticky plastics and interior trim
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingClassic & Sports Car reports plastics that become sticky (door handles, controls), an issue to use as a bargaining point. Petrolicious adds worn buttons, dashboard leather that blisters and, on Barchettas, more fading of the headrests and dashboard. L'Automobile Sportive mentions the dashboard top peeling away and the airbag cover. Low severity: cosmetic or minor electronic issues.
- Versions
- 550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle, 550 Barchetta V12 5.5 manuelle
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €566 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €88 |
| Maintenance | €178 |
| Depreciation | €1,590 |
| Total per month | €2,422 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€566
550 Maranello V12 5.5 manuelle version: combined consumption of 23 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
23 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €566
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€88
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€178
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€1,590
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello F133 — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Ask when the timing belts were last replaced: due every three years on the 550 (Petrolicious, L'Automobile Sportive); on the 575M, RAC advises checking the service every 3 years or 18,750 miles.
- On a 550 from 1997 to 1999, check that the original wheels have been replaced (aluminium, BBS instead of Speedline) (Petrolicious, What Car?, Classic & Sports Car).
- Look for oil leaks at the top and rear of the engine, coolant leaks under the manifold and steering rack leaks (Classic & Sports Car, Petrolicious).
- Ask when the clutch was last replaced; on an F1, have the clutch wear read by diagnostic and check the hydraulic system (Friends Car Rental, Supercars.net).
- Listen for suspension knocks on poor roads and check the steering play (Petrolicious).
- If the car has the GTC pack or carbon-ceramic brakes, have their condition checked (RAC).
Questions to ask the seller
- When were the timing belts and the clutch last replaced, and do you have the invoices?
- For a 550 from 1997 to 1999, were the original wheels replaced? For an F1, what is the clutch wear and has the hydraulic system been serviced?
- Is there a complete service history with the Ferrari network or a specialist, and an accident history?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ferrari F430
I · 2004–2009
- Price
- €124,900 – €241,300
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
Jaguar XK
II · 2006–2014
- Price
- €19,500 – €29,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
Chevrolet Corvette
C7 · 2014–2019
- Price
- €65,900 – €87,900
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
Jaguar F-Type
I · 2013–2024
- Price
- €38,000 – €70,400
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello F133 (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 550 Maranello and the 575M Maranello?
The 550 (1996-2002) has a 5,474 cm³ V12 producing 485 hp, with a manual gearbox only (L'argus, Petrolicious). The 575M, presented in 2002, has a 5,748 cm³ V12 producing 515 hp and also offers an F1 paddle-shift automated gearbox (Auto titre, RAC).
What are the 550 Barchetta and the 575M Superamerica?
The 550 Barchetta is a roadster limited to 448 cars (L'Automobile Sportive, Petrolicious). The Superamerica, derived from the 575M, adds an electrochromic retractable hard top and 540 hp, for 559 cars (Supercars.net, L'Automobile Sportive).
Does the Ferrari 550 or 575M have a Euro NCAP rating?
No rating has been found: the Parkers listing for the 575M says 'Euro NCAP safety data not found', which does not prove that the car was not tested.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello listing: price, mileage, watch points.
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