McLaren
570S
McLaren
MP4-12C
McLaren 570S vs McLaren MP4-12C: 2017 Comparison
The short answer
The McLaren 570S offers fuel economy, while the McLaren MP4-12C excels at power instead. Choose the McLaren 570S if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the McLaren MP4-12C if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
570S
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile. The vehicle is widely praised for its driving dynamics, described as feeling "light, tight, and a lot of fun," with handling frequently compared favorably to a Lotus Elise or Exige but with significantly more power. Its aesthetic appeal, presence, and "head-turning factor" are consistently highlighted as major positives.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" version (e.g., Coupe vs. Spider, standard vs. 600LT).
Known issues
- ⚠Build Quality & Interior Failures: Interior trim pieces breaking, delaminating, or falling off; leather dash splitting; alcantara detaching; cheap plastic switches/visors failing. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Electrical & Infotainment Problems: Infotainment system crashes requiring reboots; screen freezes; "key not found" errors; window switch failures; poor native infotainment software; lack of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- ⚠General Reliability & Costly Repairs: Unpredictable breakdowns; expensive and lengthy repairs; parts wait times of months; high labor costs; reputation for stranding owners. Frequency: very frequent.
MP4-12C
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile. The vehicle is widely praised for its stunning design, exceptional handling characteristics, lightweight chassis (~1,300 kg / ~2,866 lbs), powerful brakes, and surprisingly comfortable interior suitable for long-distance travel. It is recognized as a groundbreaking model that established McLaren's modern road car lineage.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to designate a specific model year or trim as "best." However, there is a strong, recurrent recommendation to seek out later-production examples (e.g., 2013-2014) and cars with higher annual mileage (2,000-5,000 miles per year) as they are believed to have had early gremlins addressed under warranty and suffer fewer issues from sitting idle.
Known issues
- ⚠Electronic system malfunctions: Infotainment (IRIS) screen touch failures, system freezes requiring reboots, climate control LCD screen failures, "key not found" errors, various warning lights. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Hydraulic system accumulator failure: PCC (Pneumatic Control Circuit) errors, suspension mode change failures; consumable items needing replacement every 2-4 years at a cost of approximately $1,400-$5,000. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Transmission concerns: Reports of complete transmission failures requiring replacement (costing ~$30,000), though some owner discussions suggest this reputation may be overstated and linked to warranty repair practices rather than inherent…
The verdict
The McLaren 570S is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the McLaren MP4-12C, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the McLaren MP4-12C is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the McLaren 570S or the McLaren MP4-12C?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the McLaren 570S and the McLaren MP4-12C. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the McLaren 570S or the McLaren MP4-12C?
Data on family-specific factors like cargo space is limited for one or both models, but based on available reports, both are positioned as practical daily drivers. Check the specs table above for seating and body type.
Which has better fuel economy, the McLaren 570S or the McLaren MP4-12C?
The McLaren 570S is more fuel-efficient on paper: 10.7 L/100km combined versus 11.7 L/100km for the McLaren MP4-12C, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the McLaren 570S or the McLaren MP4-12C?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.