Ferrari independent specialists and pre-purchase inspections

[Adcorb]

Hi All. Hoping to take my first step into Ferrari ownership in the coming months…..Currently considering either a 430 or 458 spider. I’m very keen to buy a very clean example / good history etc.

To that end, I’d really appreciate views on good / reliable independent specialists (to buy a car, and for service) in the UK.

Also would be grateful for recommendations for individuals/ specialists who conduct pre-purchase inspections.

I’m in the East Midlands but willing to travel if needed. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Reggie20]

Hi,
Like you I went into my 1st Ferrari purchase 2 months ago - 355 Spider so a bit older than what you're looking for.

I looked at a few but the independents that really impressed me were Kent High Performance Cars and Rardley. They both had lovely cars for sale and backed up by substantial service histories. In the end I went for the Rardley car and their aftersales service has been excellent but from what I've read about KHPC their aftersales is excellent as well.

Good luck and enjoy the car when you get it

[Adcorb]

Reggie20 said:

Hi,
Like you I went into my 1st Ferrari purchase 2 months ago - 355 Spider so a bit older than what you're looking for.

I looked at a few but the independents that really impressed me were Kent High Performance Cars and Rardley. They both had lovely cars for sale and backed up by substantial service histories. In the end I went for the Rardley car and their aftersales service has been excellent but from what I've read about KHPC their aftersales is excellent as well.

Good luck and enjoy the car when you get it

Thanks v much for your quick reply. Did you get an inspection done pre purchase?

[Reggie20]

Hi,
No I didn't - to be honest both indies were so open about the history - lever arch files full of invoices etc and both with fully stamped service books that I didn't even consider a ppi - hopefully I won't live to regret that decision!

[blueg33]

For a 430 inspection I would use AV Engineering, they really know their stuff. They may also know of a car for sale.

I have a friend who uses Rardley and rates them and Kent HPC have a good rep

[davek_964]

Walkersport are also worth a look, although I'm not sure he deals with stuff that new.

[johnnyreggae]

You're probably going to have to travel to find a car so the answer to your question is pretty car-specific (vendor & PPI location) - for many years Shiltech in the East Midlands have handled sales & servicing

[Reggie20]

Picking up on an earlier post - I think a lot of the indies know of stuff where the owners are thinking(ish!) of selling. It might be worth giving them a call and see what they say.

[TwoMinds]

+1 for KHPC. I bought from them without a PPI and the car has subsequently been serviced by another (closer to me) independent without anything unexpected turning up.

[maura]

Rardley Motors to buy or use for PPi service.

[Babw]

KHPC did a PPI on a 458 spider for me and saved me over £15k in CCM's. Definitely worth it and they were very professional to deal with.

[Cloudy147]

TwoMinds said:

+1 for KHPC. I bought from them without a PPI and the car has subsequently been serviced by another (closer to me) independent without anything unexpected turning up.

Me too. Also from KHPC, it was a great experience. A few years prior when I was looking (couldn’t find one back then), I was talking about prospective cars and dealers etc with an inspector who was local to me. He had good things to say about KHPC, so when i did purchase from them I took a chance and purchased unseen with no ppi.

The car was prepped great, the handover was easy, fun and relaxed, they gave me loads of time to ask questions and get familiar with the car and it has a binder of history with it.

After sales was good too. I was given the Roger, the company owners personal mobile number and told to call him during warranty period if there were any issues out of workshop hours. I had reason to do this once, entirely due to my own user error, but he answered, talked me through what to do, and all sorted within about 5 minutes.

I’ve not been disappointed, a year of fabulous motoring. Hopefully it’ll stay that way!

As for ppi in the years before I purchased I used Tim Walker (walker sport). He swerved me away from some absolute horrors!

Edited by Cloudy147 on Monday 11th August 22:48

[EvolutionChris]

blueg33 said:

For a 430 inspection I would use AV Engineering, they really know their stuff. They may also know of a car for sale.

I have a friend who uses Rardley and rates them and Kent HPC have a good rep

I have used AV Engineering too and can recommend them. I would use them again if they were closer to where I live.
Any thoughts on Keys Motorsport at Silverstone?