Here’s Why You Probably Shouldn’t Buy A Cheap McLaren 12C

Even if 2009 was 15 years ago, it still doesn’t feel like it was that long ago when you could pick up a Ferrari Testarossa for $50,000, or an Acura NSX for $30,000, or even a depreciated manual Murcielago. It’s a shame that’s no longer the case, as it’s just an expensive time to be into cars in general. However, even in a drastically different market, there are still cheap-ish supercars out there, such as the McLaren MP4-12C.

This isn’t a sort of lite-supercar like a V8 Audi R8, as it wasn’t intended to compete with the Porsche 911. This is a full-on, no asterisks supercar, part of the upper echelon of the automotive kingdom. Plus, innovations here are still used in new McLaren models today, so it’s not like you’re getting something that feels excessively dated.

Mind you, just because you can pick one of these up for comfortably less than $100,000 doesn’t mean you should expect maintenance bills in line with those for a new Corvette. In fact, one rare issue threatens to mechanically total an afflicted 12C, at least if McLaren’s own initial recommended procedures are followed. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

What Are We Looking At?

At this point, we all know about the legendary McLaren F1, the ultimate car of the 1990s. It seemed like a one-off event, and although McLaren would later work with Mercedes-Benz on the SLR, it seemed for a period of time that McLaren had nothing left to prove in the game of in-house supercars. However, back in 2005, the iconic F1 constructor decided to take another shot at it, this time not focusing on building the greatest car of all, but instead aiming squarely at Ferrari’s mid-engined mainline supercars.

Four years later, a mid-engined machine with a borderline unintelligible name was unveiled, the MP4-12C. Sure, it might sound like a fax machine, but the details were anything but boring. A twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, a carbon fiber tub, and fully hydraulic suspension. The result? A whopping 592 horsepower, zero-to-60 mph in 3.1 seconds, and a top speed of 207 mph.

That’s quick, but speed wasn’t the 12C’s only party piece. Once you savor the theatre of the dihedral doors, slide behind the wheel, fire up the M838T engine, and press the gear selector button for drive, you’ll soon realize this was the dawn of a new era. One in which supercars could corner with supreme precision and yet still ride phenomenally, one in which engineering takes another leap forward. Add in communicative hydraulic steering and the result was a new performance benchmark in the supercar space. Sure, the Ferrari 458 Italia was more provocative, but it was also the end of an era. The MP4-12C, later just called the 12C, was the start of one, and it can now be had for a fraction of its original asking price.

How Much Are We Talking?

Now, when I said these were cheap, I mean relatively speaking. On the one hand, values are hovering around $90,000, which is still a ton of money. On the other hand, you’ll have an extremely difficult time finding a mid-engined Ferrari or Lamborghini of a similar vintage for that money. Take this 2013 12C Spider, for example; it recently sold on Bring A Trailer for $89,000, and on the face of things, nothing major seems to be wrong with it. We’re talking clean Carfax, clean title, just 25,000 miles, the works. The only issue is a phantom warning light for the front trunk lid, but this is a machine that’s handmade in England, so some minor gremlins are pretty much normal.

Likewise, this blue 2013 12C Spider also recently sold on Bring A Trailer, but this one went for $86,000. Sure, it’s not cosmetically perfect and has a couple of scrapes underneath, but with just 20,000 miles on the clock and a clean Carfax, it seems like an intriguing way into modern supercar ownership.

If you want to go even cheaper, this 2012 MP4-12C sold on Cars & Bids earlier this year for $81,004. At this point, we’re in the range of well-equipped new Corvette money. This particular example has a high (by supercar standards) 46,800 miles on the clock and the two-tone scheme is somewhat questionable, but a clean Carfax, some maintenance history, and that relatively low hammer price could make something like this tempting.

What Can Possibly Go Wrong On A McLaren MP4-12C?

Alright, time to snap back to reality. Each 12C uses a Graziano seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is brilliant when it’s working properly. Unfortunately, should mechatronic issues or even a leak occur, as owners report happens, the official plan of recourse is to replace the entire transmission. One McLaren Life forum poster needed to have this repair completed in 2021, and the reported cost including parts and labor was $58,000. That’s the cost of an entire Toyota GR Supra.

Now, not every MP4-12C will require a new transmission at some point in its life, but the fact that it might should give pause for thought. In a worst-case scenario, that’s a difficult thing to quickly come up with the cash to fix.

A more common issue is failing HVAC control panel screens. Compared to a new gearbox, this is cheap, but it’s still expensive for a little electronic part. Thankfully, Supercar Garage ATL has an even cheaper solution than a few grand for a couple of HVAC panels, because it offers OLED screens for $559 each so you don’t have to throw an entire module or two away.

Pre-2014 MP4-12C models likely have their original first-generation Iris infotainment systems, and those have a reputation for occasionally crapping out. Well, replacement head units aren’t cheap, with a new unit running $4,127 from volume dealer Miller Motorcar.

Other common issues include headlight and taillight condensation requiring entire assembly replacement, failed hydraulic suspension accumulators that run just over $1,000 for four, coolant leaks, water leaks from failed weatherstripping, and misaligned doors. Relatively common things in the world of fiddly high-end cars, but considering the stronghold McLaren has on most parts, it’s definitely easier to get a Ferrari fixed if you don’t live near a franchised dealer.

Should You Buy A McLaren MP4-12C?

In most cases, you probably shouldn’t buy a used supercar if you’ve also been considering something newer and more reliable. Sadly, the MP4-12C falls under most cases. These cars just don’t seem to be as robust as Audi R8s or V10 Lamborghinis, let alone Vipers, so it’ll take deep pocketbooks to keep one on the road.

However, if you can find one still eligible for Certified Pre-Owned warranty and have the means to keep extending that warranty, then one of these cars might be worth a look. After all, what else offers the same modern supercar experience and surprisingly excellent ride quality for the money?

(Photo credits: Bring A Trailer, Cars & Bids)

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

• Bruno Sacco’s Greatest Mercedes Designs Are Still Shockingly Affordable

• A Bewildering Number Of Sports Cars Are Cheaper Than $10,000 So What Are You Waiting For?

• You Can Buy A C7 Corvette For The Price Of A New Subaru BRZ And You Absolutely Should

• This Amazing Citroën Auction Features A Group B Homologation Special, A Six-Wheeled Camper, An Eight-Wheeled DS Pickup, And Nearly 100 More Cars

• You Can Buy A 200 MPH Mustang For $275,000 Less Than The Insane GTD

Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.