NHC MOTORS · SERVICE RECORD

Maserati Quattroporte pre-purchase inspection: the condition of a car left sitting

Before a buyer signed for a used 2016 Quattroporte, we inspected it. With cobwebs throughout, coolant below the MIN line and oils and fluids due for replacement, we suggested weighing those findings against the price.

The 2016 Quattroporte with its engine bay open for a pre-purchase inspection

2016 Maserati Quattroporte

A buyer brought this used 2016 Maserati Quattroporte to us for an inspection before signing the contract.

The car showed signs of sitting for some time and needed basic maintenance. Its oils and fluids were due for replacement. When we asked about the price, it did not leave much room for the work it needed.

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Cobwebs in the engine bay and coolant below the MIN line

Opening the hood revealed cobwebs throughout the engine bay and coolant below the MIN line. Basic preparation had not been done even though the car was being offered for sale.

Coolant can leak without leaving a mark on the ground. On the Quattroporte, coolant leaking from around the reservoir can run inside the crossmember, where it is hard to see from outside. On this car too, the area around the reservoir and the inside of the crossmember needed a closer look before any decision to buy.

The coolant level had dropped below the MIN mark.

The cause of the low coolant also needed checking before purchase.

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Oil had smeared across the underside

With the car on the lift, we looked under the engine and transmission and found oil residue caked with dust around the lower engine joints. Leaking oil runs downward and is pushed back by airflow while driving, so where it has collected may not be where the leak started.

To find where the oil starts leaking, the area needs cleaning and rechecking for fresh wetness. Before buying, you would also want to know what the repair might cost.

Oil residue around the lower engine joints. Where the leak starts still needs to be confirmed.

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Brake pads, discs and brake fluid

We slid a gauge between the wheel spokes to measure pad thickness and checked the condition of the disc friction surfaces. The brake fluid tester read 1.7%.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, and the more moisture it holds, the lower its boiling point. The tester reading is a figure displayed by a simple device, not a direct measurement of braking performance.

Measuring pad thickness with a gauge slid between the wheel spokes

Checking the brake disc friction surface

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With fluid changes factored in, the price needed a second look

We drew the engine oil and transmission fluid separately and compared their condition. The inspection showed this car needed all of its basic oils and fluids replaced.

A Maserati may have depreciated sharply, but repairs can still be expensive. With fewer cars on the road, parts can take time to source or cost more. Knowing what this one needs gives the buyer grounds to discuss the price, or to walk away if the work is too much.

Buying this car would mean changing the oils and fluids, then investigating the low coolant and oil residue underneath. At the asking price, those costs made it less attractive. We explained that to the buyer before they made a decision.

Transmission fluid sample drawn separately

Engine oil sample, drawn separately from the transmission fluid

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a pre-purchase inspection on a used Maserati?

The more upscale the car, the more it depreciates and the more a repair can cost, and with a Maserati, parts availability can push repair costs higher still. Knowing the car's condition before signing lets you negotiate the price or avoid a car with serious problems.

If there is no coolant mark on the ground, do I need to worry about a leak?

On the Quattroporte, coolant can seep from around the reservoir into the crossmember even when nothing drips outside. The coolant level, the area around the reservoir and the inside of the crossmember all need checking.

Found a car you want? Show it to us before you sign

An inspection before signing can show what the car needs right away and what to factor into the price. Book a pre-purchase inspection.

We explain the work and estimate before proceeding with your consent.

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031-258-1617 · NHC Motors, Suwon · By appointment

Published 2026-09-24