WHAT TO LOOK FOR

MERCEDES-BENZ SL55 AMG

Make sure the central locking and the vario-roof work as intended. If either is playing up, it could mean that the boot seals are shot and water is getting in. Also check the drains in the corners of the boot where they meet the C-pillars for corrosion or blockage.

Good service history is essential, – the 16 plugs are very expensive and the fuel filter is located above the diff’, which is awful to change, so people may have scrimped. Ensure that the SBC brake pump is kept up-to-date – they have a habit of crashing. If it looks shiny and new, great; if not, it can cost £2000 to replace – as can the ABC pump, which controls the steering, so make sure that the steering feels right.

Check under the arches for corrosion – and, of course, watch for crash damage – these cars are a handful in the wet. If the suspension sags or drops overnight, it could be the sign of expensive leg wear.

There are few outward cues that there’s anything special about this fifth-generation Merc SL.

FERRARI 360 SPIDER F1

Avoid buying a car that hasn’t had a recent cambelt service. This usually costs somewhere in the region of £500, which is far cheaper than something like a 355 due to easier access for the technicians. Clutches on an F1-transmission car can wear out relatively quickly so ideally the car you buy will have had a clutch change within the last 10k miles in order to ensure that there’s still some useful life in it.

Early (pre-2003) cars had an issue with clutch wear but a TCU remap was produced by the factory that helped to extend the life of the clutch significantly. Costs can vary from £1000 to about £2000.

The seat bolsters can wear out over time but this can be fixed by re-upholstering specialists for a few hundred pounds. Finally, while the roof mechanism is unbelievably sturdy, regular use can stretch the fabric, which may cause buffeting at speed. This can cost from £4000 to £7000 to replace.

The 360 was criticised for lacking in visual drama, but the design has mellowed gorgeously with age.