Buy a Ferrari 308 on its continuous service history first. Documented cambelt changes, dry cam seals, correct warm oil pressure and rust-free sills and lower doors matter more than mileage, and fiberglass cars can still hide a rotten frame.
For this November 5, 2026 guide I read Hagerty: 1976-85 Ferrari 308 buyer's guide and Classic & Sports Car: Ferrari 308 GTB and GTS buyer's guide. The mechanical cautions below come from those pages; the order of checks and the questions for the seller are my practical recommendations. Any price examples in those sources are market snapshots, not a valuation of the car in front of you. So, compare it with recent sales of the same specification and condition.
Read the service file before the odometer
Hagerty says a continuous history with Ferrari or reputable independent specialists matters more on a 308 than on most classics. It affects value and shows how earlier owners treated the car. Hagerty also says high mileage need not scare you if the records are sound. Ask for dated invoices with shop names. Gaps of several years deserve a direct question.
Ask when the cambelts were last changed
Hagerty describes the belts as not especially difficult or time-consuming to change on a 308. That makes an overdue belt a negotiating point rather than a mystery. Ask for the date and mileage of the last belt service, because a car that sits can age its belts without adding miles. Pair the answer with the seal check below. Do not drive hard until the history is clear.
Look for cam-seal leaks
The engine's cam seals can leak, and Hagerty says that usually comes from the car sitting unused. If they leak, the belts can be replaced at the same time to save labor. Look for oil around the belt covers and underneath after the drive. A shiny freshly cleaned engine bay can hide a recent leak. Ask the inspector to confirm the source.
Check warm oil pressure and running
Hagerty gives warm oil pressure of 40 to 45 psi at tick-over and 85 psi when revved. On carbureted cars, a misfire points to Webers needing a rebuild. Valve clearances are due every 12,500 miles, and Hagerty suggests shortening that for cars that cover little distance. Watch the gauge once the car is fully warm. Write the readings down for your inspector.
Inspect for rust, including on fiberglass cars
Hagerty lists sills, lower doors, the rear of the front fenders and arches, the black-painted belt line and the hidden metal behind the front and rear end trim on steel cars. Early fiberglass Vetroresina cars can hide a rotten chassis where water collects between body and frame. Hagerty adds that many 308s received superficial restorations when values were low. A specialist inspection is money well spent here. Get photos from underneath.
Choose the version you will enjoy
Hagerty separates early fiberglass cars, steel carbureted cars, the slower 1980 to 1982 fuel-injected GTBi and GTSi, and the later Quattrovalvole. The targa GTS is easier to find and usually cheaper than the GTB. Check that the tool roll, jack, service book wallet and GTS roof cover are present, since originals are expensive. Values in the guide are dated, so check recent comparable sales.
Prove the identity before a deposit
Match the chassis number on the 308 to the title, any import papers and the plate on the car before you order a history report. Our VIN verification guide walks through that match, and imported-car report coverage sets expectations for cars that spent years overseas. Older chassis numbers may sit outside modern report databases, so confirm coverage before paying. NMVTIS covers U.S. title history only; it cannot replace foreign records or a physical inspection.
Get the repair scope in writing first
If the belt date is unknown or the oil pressure falls short when warm, get a Ferrari specialist's quote before you make an offer. Look, a seller PDF or a folder of photos is a starting document, not independent proof of condition. Ask the inspector for written findings with local estimates, split into safety work and cosmetic wishes. The NYC consumer-agency used-car guidance tells buyers to have an independent mechanic check the car, and our pre-purchase inspection checklist helps you set the scope.
We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Guest reports have been about $5.50, member reports about $4.50 and a two-report bundle about $6.75; confirm the price at checkout because it can change. A report can miss unreported work, so keep the inspection appointment even when the history looks quiet.
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