2009 Maserati Quattroporte 4.2L Petrol · LJ09 HCH

A known fault on the Ferrari-derived 4.2-litre V8 and early wet-sump 4.7-litre V8 (F136 family): the cam variators lack adequate check-valve protection, so oil drains off when the car stands and the variators rattle for a couple of seconds on cold start. Maserati never addressed the root cause on early cars; the fix is to add reed valves, and the 4.7 was updated in 2011. Left alone, the rattle can progress to timing concerns and cam-cap damage. A cold-start listening test is the simplest and cheapest check before viewing.

Both the dry-sump 4.2 and wet-sump 4.7 Ferrari-derived V8s commonly seep oil from the valve-cover gaskets and around the timing case as they age. The leaks are awkward to reach: the valve covers are not quick to remove, and oil cooler lines and gaskets at the rear of the engine can also weep once the manifold area is exposed. Minor seepage is common and manageable, but fresh oil film around the cylinder heads or under the engine should not be ignored, since oil reaching hot components or the exhaust is a fire risk and leaks worsen with mileage.

Cars fitted with the adaptive Skyhook suspension can develop electronic faults and damper wear, causing squeaking or knocking over bumps — worsened by incorrect wheel alignment and worn bushes. Skyhook dampers cost significantly more to replace than conventional dampers, and a faulty system may show suspension warnings or fail to hold its settings. On the test drive, cycle through the suspension modes and listen for damper noises; a car that sits unevenly overnight or bounces excessively needs specialist attention. Note that base models dropped Skyhook from 2009, so check which suspension the car has before pricing repairs.