Ferrari F12berlinetta Common Problems & Reliability
The Ferrari F12berlinetta was sold in the UK from 2012 to 2017 as the successor to the 599, powered by a 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 producing 740bhp through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It offered supercar performance with grand-tourer usability and strong UK volumes, making it a common sight in the used market. Front suspension bush wear, carbon-ceramic brake costs and rear-wing corrosion are the main ownership considerations, alongside outstanding recall campaigns.
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Detailed fault breakdown, symptoms, and estimated repair bills by production year.
Most Common Ferrari F12berlinetta Faults & Repair Costs
Front lower wishbone bush and rear toe-link wear
Front lower wishbone bushes and rear toe-link wear are common as mileage builds, revealing themselves as uneven inner-edge tyre wear, tramlining and knocks over bumps. The steering should feel tight with no dead-ahead nibble. Worn bushings also degrade the F12's celebrated front-end precision. Inspect the tyres for shoulder wear, listen for creaks over speed cushions, and have a specialist check the suspension geometry.
Uneven inner-edge wear on the front tyres, Tramlining or knocks from the front suspension over bumps, Steering that feels less tight or has a dead-ahead nibble
- Inspect front tyres for inner-edge shoulder wear
- Listen for creaks or knocks over speed cushions and rough roads
- Have a specialist check suspension geometry and bush condition
Carbon-ceramic brake wear and replacement cost
Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard and durable on the road, but the pads are consumable and expensive, and discs can chip or show thermal spotting if abused. A full disc and pad replacement runs to a large five-figure sum at a Ferrari dealer. Measure the disc lips and inspect for cracks or chips, check pad thickness, and note any low-speed brake squeal, which is not always a fault.
Chips, cracks or thermal spotting on the disc surfaces, Expensive pad consumables and high replacement bills, Low-speed brake squeal, which is not always a fault
- Measure disc lips and inspect for chips, cracks or spotting
- Check brake-pad thickness through the wheel spokes
- Ask for brake-wear percentages from a diagnostic scan
Corrosion around the rear wing vents
Corrosion around the rear wing vents is a known F12 issue, with paint bubbling at the steel-mesh-to-aluminium interfaces beneath the paint. Ferrari ran campaigns to treat and repaint affected cars under warranty, but out-of-warranty examples can need costly bodywork. Check the rear wings closely for bubbling under the paint and ask whether any corrosion repair or repaint has been carried out.
Paint bubbling around the rear wing vents, Corrosion at steel-mesh-to-aluminium interfaces beneath the paint, Previous repaint or corrosion-repair work on the rear wings
- Inspect the rear wings closely for bubbling under the paint
- Ask whether any corrosion repair or repaint has been carried out
- Check whether any factory corrosion campaign was completed for the car
Buying a used Ferrari F12berlinetta? Always check for hidden finance and write-off history.
Mechanical problems are only half the battle. Over 1 in 3 UK used cars checked have unpaid finance or accident write-off records that could cause you to lose the car or thousands in value.