I think the first step is identifying a coupe that has good evidence of servicing, belts etc preferably from a specialist. Also do your due diligence on DVLA MOT check. IMO if a car is consistently failing on rust, floor corrision etc then perhaps it's being neglected and being run on a tight budget. Of courses if you want a project then that's a different bowl of pasta. Get additional pics from the owner on rear arches, front and rear sill ends etc. Be wary of silly mods or mods period.
Turin Motors in Leeds are Italian car specialists. When I lived in Warrington they saved me from a failed MOT and did an excellent and reasonably priced welding job where local garages wouldn't look at it. Also failed on emissions but after Chris did an Italian tune up it sailed through. On the downside they failed to diagnose an injector light warning (despite me telling them the likely culprit) but to be fair another specialist failed as well. And of course it was our old friend the cam sensor
On the whole TM are fine and rated highly and have a fair amount of old school exotica in their workshop so know their stuff.
