2000 FERRARI 550 MARANELLO

Beautifully presented in a handsome colour scheme, this Ferrari 550 Maranello is a very well-maintained example of the marque’s superb grand tourer. Powered by a 5.5-litre V12 producing 479bhp, it is driven through a six-speed manual gearbox, with the iconic metal shift gate. The odometer shows 46,048 miles from new.

An original UK-market car, this 550 was first registered on 20 June 2000, and it has since passed through the hands of five previous keepers. The current owner has kept the vehicle for just over three years.

The car is reported to be in excellent condition throughout, with few marks on the Grigio Titanio paintwork. The vendor notes some very minor stone chips on around the nose, but otherwise it is a very clean example. All of the light lenses, body trims and badging present well, and the car remains original and unmodified. The wheels are in great condition, too, with no kerbing grazes or other damage.

As with the exterior, the cabin is in superb order, with minimal signs of age on the Bordeaux leather to the seats, including some wear on the driver’s outer bolster. There is some common wrinkling on the leather on the passenger airbag paned, and the black string netting behind the seats on the bulkhead panel is slack. This particular car boasts the smart optional diamond quilted leather for the headlining and rear parcel shelf, as well as contrasting black piping on the seats.

All of the switchgear and electrics are reported to work as they should, and there are no warning lights on the instrument panel. An upgraded sound system with an auxiliary input has been installed, retaining the appearance of the original head unit. A Cat 6 tracker has also been fitted for added security.

The most recent service was carried out in July 2019 at QV London, when the car had covered 46,012 miles. There, the Ferrari specialist carried out a cam belt change, as well as swapping the engine and gearbox oil and rectifying the common sticky switches. The company also fitted uprated engine mounts. That service followed prior work in August 2018, when the car was serviced and given a new handbrake cable, as well as fresh rear brake shoes.

The most recent MOT test was on 15 July 2019, which resulted in a clean pass. Because of the coronavirus-related MOT extensions, the next test is not due until January 14, 2021. The four Bridgestone Potenza tyres are all in good condition, with fronts fitted in 2016 and rears fitted in 2017. The front tyres have 7.5mm of tread remaining, while the rears have around 7mm.

Accompanying the car is the original tool kit and spares, albeit missing a few bulbs, as well as a 550 Maranello car cover, and a complete original book pack that includes the stamped servicing record.

If you have been seeking a clean but usable example of Ferrari’s millennium-era flagship, then this particular 550 Maranello is a tempting proposition. Benefiting from a major cam belt service only last year, and presented in very good order throughout, this should prove to be an exciting yet dependable high-performance grand tourer. It is arguably one of the best all-round GT cars in Ferrari’s back catalogue, and this car’s wonderful specification makes it all the more desirable.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.