1. 1With only 499 built and most collector-kept, provenance and documented history are everything. Confirm the car has been exercised and properly serviced rather than static.
2. 2The same F430 issues apply: inspect the exhaust manifolds, read out the F1 clutch wear, and check the standard carbon-ceramic brakes for wear.
3. 3Operate the convertible top fully and check for hydraulic leaks. A marque-specialist pre-purchase inspection is essential given rarity and cost.
4. 4Confirm the brake fluid reservoir cap recall was performed (NHTSA 22V536000, Ferrari RC 80, an expansion of 21V-833 covering 2005-2009 F430s). A cap that fails to vent can draw a vacuum in the reservoir and leak fluid, risking partial or total loss of braking; the fix is a new cap plus a software low-fluid warning.
5. 5The suspension runs spherical ball joints instead of rubber bushings and wears far faster than a normal car; the chrome-plated factory joints corrode once the plating goes. Treat the ball joints, bushings and drop links as consumables and listen for clunks over bumps.
6. 6The F1 Superfast2 car's hydraulic power unit (pump, motor and accumulator) is a wear item separate from the clutch. A constantly running pump, slow or clunky shifts, or a no-shift/no-start condition point to a failing pump; Ferrari advises preventive pump/motor replacement by about 5 years or 10,000-15,000 miles.
7. 7Check the cam variator control solenoids for oil ingress: a failed solenoid seal lets oil creep up the wiring into the connectors and potentially into the ECU. Look for oil in the connectors and around the cam covers.
8. 8Inspect the cooling system: the water pump's internal seal weeps coolant, and the plastic coolant expansion tank and hoses go brittle and seep with age and heat.

• 22V5360002005-2009
  The brake fluid reservoir cap may fail to vent, drawing a vacuum in the reservoir that can leak fluid and risk partial or total loss of braking; remedy is a new cap plus a low-fluid warning software update.

US NHTSA campaigns for this model. A listed campaign may not apply to a particular car, and may already have been remedied — check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.