2006 Maserati Quattroporte

This 2006 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S-A left the factory finished in grey but has since been resprayed in white. This is not the highest quality respray we’ve ever seen and the coachwork’s condition, along with sticky buttons inside, multiple warning lights on the dashboard, iffy brakes, and a recalcitrant gearbox mean it is a car best considered as a donor for spares or a long-term, deep-dive project: it is not a car that can be driven away and used immediately. That said, it only has 57,000 miles on the odometer, has just been through an MoT with only three advisories, and has a decent early servicing history. It also starts, idles, and revs well. Very much a ‘work in progress’, we would strongly urge anyone interested in bidding to come along to see the Maserati for themselves; this is not one for the armchair enthusiast.

The change in colour from grey to white was, we deduce, carried out in around 2015. It was done with limited success because, while it looks decent from a distance, as you get closer it becomes apparent that every panel is a slightly different shade. It also has a dent on the nose (#42) and there are more than the usual stonechips and minor marks you’d expect to find on a car of this age: the paint is peeling away in places from the body panels (e.g. #77 and #93) as well as the door handles (#35) and wiper arms (#46). The rear bumper is poor (e.g. #13), the headlamps are cloudy (#61), and rust is starting to make itself known on the wheelarches (#27) and window frames (#55). There is also damage to every one of the alloy wheels and the tyres will all need replacing, as they have chunks missing out of them (e.g. #99).

The interior is better than the exterior – but it is not without its own problems. The rear and front passenger seats are actually in pretty good shape; with only minimal creasing, they’re still comfortable and supportive and could be used as they are without concern. The driver’s seat is not quite as good but the creasing and colour loss it shows (e.g. #150) is fairly minor and could be sorted out fairly easily. The door cards aren’t in bad shape either, and a Parrot hands-free system is fitted. Things do go a bit downhill from there because it has the usual ‘sticky button’ problem, only on a greater scale than we’ve seen before extending onto some of the flat surfaces (e.g. #124). The dashboard also has multiple warning lights, the steering wheel is quite worn (#202), the passenger window sometimes will not stay up, and some of the leather trim is damaged (e.g. #141). We haven’t tested anything and we’d much prefer anyone who thinks they might be interested in bidding to use the ‘Contact Seller’ button to make an appointment to come and take a look in person.

We couldn’t test drive it very far because of the somewhat problematic brakes we mentioned earlier. They judder badly and the last MoT inspection revealed the front and rear discs to be “worn, pitted, or scored”. The gearbox is also a bit hit and miss, refusing sometimes to go into gear unless you stop and restart the engine a few times. The underbonnet area isn’t bad but the bonnet struts do not work. As you can see, it does start and run. In fact, it starts rather well and makes all the right noises but we would still suggest the winning bidder will need to collect it on a trailer or low-loader; it is not safe to be driven on public roads as it is. The underside is rusty and a prudent bidder would establish how advanced this is before setting a budget to bid up to.

The Quattroporte’s MoT certificate is valid until May 2024 and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear except for markers for a change of colour and no road fund licence. There are a few invoices on file including some from early 2020 for an annual service plus repairs to the TPMS system, new rocker cover gaskets, handbrake shoes, and front lower damper bushes by Cowbridge Maserati. Earlier servicing invoices and stamps in the book show:

• 26.05.2017 and (unknown) mileage – new clutch by Graypaul Nottingham at a cost of £1,761

• 07.08.2014 and 44,969 miles – major service plus four new tyres and the refurbishing of all four alloy wheels by David Phillips Autos Ltd at a cost of £2,336

• 20.08.2014 and 45,016 miles – new air-conditioning compressor plus new belt and re-gas by David Phillips Autos Ltd at a cost of £864

• 05.09.2012 and 34,923 miles – service plus air-conditioning refresh by JCT600 Leeds at a cost of £1,025

• 18.07.2011 and 31,458 miles – service by Acklam Car centre

• 08.10.2010 and 28,712 miles – service by Falcon Engineering UK

• 14.08.2009 and 21,763 miles – service by Graypaul Nottingham

• 02.09.2008 and 16,771 miles – service by Graypaul Nottingham

• 08.08.2007 and 6,321 miles – service by Graypaul Nottingham

This is not a car for everyone. You’ll need deep pockets and nerves of steel to take this on because relying on professional help to sort its myriad problems will break you, financially and mentally. And yet, if you’re handy with the spanners and not afraid of Italian electrickery you might be able to resurrect it because plenty of folk on YouTube have taken on worse and lived to tell the tale – and just think of the clicks, eh? But, if we’re realistic, we’d be much happier seeing it leave us – on the back of a trailer, natch – with someone who’s going to break it for spares to use on a better prospect. And, with a guide price of between £8,000 and £12,000 - and no reserve – you might do well out of it because we imagine there’s a ready market for bits for ‘em. Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.