He bought a Ferrari imported from China with 21,000 km on it… and the mechanics discovered what it was hiding

Who hasn't dreamed of importing a Ferrari from abroad to pay far less than its market value? On paper, the idea seems appealing, especially when it comes to a Ferrari 458 Italia with just 21,000 kilometers on the odometer. But as the team at Exotic Cars for Everyday Driving, a good deal can quickly turn into a nightmare. Their Ferrari, imported from China, actually hid some very unpleasant surprises, including an estimated actual mileage of 260,000 kilometers!

Imported Ferrari 458 Italia at a bargain price

It all started with a red 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia, imported from China to Canada via British Columbia. The vehicle was then put up for auction before being acquired by a dealer working with Daily Driven Exotics. The goal was simple: to get their hands on a Ferrari equipped with the famous 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V8, without paying the prices typically demanded on the market.

From the start, the team knew this 458 wasn’t perfect. Some work was planned, but nothing foreshadowed the extent of the problems. At first glance, the Ferrari looks pretty good. Its red body and black interior even resemble an old 458 once owned by Damon, one of the team members. But as you get closer, the dream starts to crumble…

Damaged chassis and concerning repairs

The list of defects is impressive. The engine smokes, runs rough, and has several oil leaks. Some interior trim pieces are missing, the seats are not original, and the wheels are replicas of those on a Ferrari 488.

Even more concerning is that the underbody guards are missing, and several body panels have been reattached haphazardly. But it’s once the Ferrari is on a lift that the situation becomes truly alarming.

The team discovers clear signs of a major front-end accident. Part of the structure has been roughly rewelded, and a side member is bent. The suspension arms are no longer at the same height on both sides. The mechanics believe this Ferrari is simply not safe to drive. However, this structural damage was not disclosed at the time of the auction.

21,000 kilometers on the odometer, but actually about 260,000!

The most incredible part, however, is yet to come. This Ferrari 458 has only 21,000 kilometers on the odometer. That figure quickly seems suspicious given the car’s overall wear and tear, particularly on its carbon-ceramic brakes.

The team then decided to examine the vehicle’s electronic data using a diagnostic tool. And the results were revealing. The recorded history showed inconsistent mileage readings, with values that rose and then dropped sharply. According to the experts interviewed in the video, This Ferrari 458 is said to have actually traveled about 260,000 kilometers, which is more than twelve times the mileage shown!

The sale has ultimately been canceled

Fortunately for Daily Driven Exotics, the Ferrari hadn't been paid for yet. After the defects were discovered, the dealership was able to obtain a refund from the auction house.

The story doesn't end there, though, because in the same video, a Ferrari 599 GTB—this time imported from the Czech Republic—was also found to have a falsified odometer reading. Ferrari traced the car back to 265,000 kilometers starting in 2014, even though his odometer showed only about 74,000!

This mishap serves as a reminder that a Ferrari listed at a particularly attractive price may come with considerable hidden costs. And before importing a supercar, a thorough inspection and a check of its history are still essential.