McLaren 12C & 650S Buyer's Guide - What To Look For & Common Faults

With the help of our friends at Thorney Motorsport, we are going to show you some of the things you need to look at if you're considering buying a McLaren 12C or 650S. They offer an inspection service which takes the fear out of buying one of these British supercars.
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[@Gr0t0tter]

Thorney Motorsport are brilliant - they were pioneers in modding Vauxhall VX220's and properly tuning / track prepping E46 M3 CSL's... No surprise that they've seen a gap in the independent McLaren market, and capitalized.

[@cameron1975williams]

This guy's fantastic and very honest. A lesson to all garages: You wanna be successful? Then scamming everyone isn't the way forward. Just do a good job and the rewards will come.

[@robfinegold5560]

I really like this fellow. He has the easy familiarity that comes with experience. No drama just matter of fact competence. My kind of advisor. Cheers.

[@1183newman]

I honestly prefer the styling of the 12C over the later mclarens and if i was to buy a mclaren i would probably want a 12c.

[@davidhewitt3070]

I completely agree, it's a more timeless design. The newer designs won't age too well..

[@OfficialYeat]

facts

[@Aldas001]

Great video Jay, absolutely loved getting this insight from that gentleman, in the future tho try and maybe film some of the under-car with a flash on your camera just so that we can see everything in more detail underneath the car, although I do understand also for that man that having a light in his face might be a little annoying, but anyways loved the content.

[@jonathonedwards6741]

Should probably show this to Tyler Hoover

[@paulj3625]

I think you’ve hit a great two parter, perhaps do this for other marques. I’ll never afford a McLaren but found this really interesting.

[@superameric8]

Unreal. This is fabulous. Thank you so much for posting this! Made my week!

[@TheSnookerGym]

God how knowledgeable is this guy - incredible.

[@1970boggy]

Very detailed 👍 Might even be on my shopping list one day 👍

[@CRMXL]

Kind of needed this video 2 months ago, oh well. Guess I'll look into a 12C, but still hesitant on it because of the technology. Nowadays I'm hesitant to buy cars all because they add too much technology into them and we all know what happens to them between 3 to 5 years down the Line. Don't get me wrong these cars are awesome and they're nice for hopefully the first year, but then after that you start learning the finicky things that start to go bad.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Actually my experience has usually been the opposite. The first 18 months is when all the problems present themselves

[@legionnairegonk4425]

Yes Jay, but how long down the road will McLaren and all the mfg's be able to supply you with new dashboard LCD's for instance? In 10 years time if your 12c LCD display blows and nobody has any left what are you to do? It's not like the mechanicals, where 3rd parties can produce them. The high tech stuff is very specialised, and can't be produced by small outfits. McLaren as you said yourself are very 'next model' focussed, and don't care so much with older models. Who is to say how long they will go on supporting the old tech for. It is a big risk IMO, and not one I would want to take.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@legionnairegonk4425 I suspect that even something like an LCD panel was not actually made by McLaren. In these cases, if a failure point is identified owners clubs usually band together and arrange to buy batches of remanufactured parts. This can happen with manufacturers all the time - Lotus for example. Even the LCD panel is ultimately not a particularly fancy part it's just built into a fancy car and can be repaired if you know how. It just isn't the same way as old school engineering.

[@Jason-Jason]

I wish i could tip you for making this video! Excellent

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Maybe most issues will only show up over the years but this sounds rather good for a car as exotic as this!

[@foesfly3047]

I might be a 12C owner if Thorney Motorsport was in Arizona USA.

[@angrydwarf6563]

Great video. Thanks for putting this together.

[@TheIantonna]

great video thanks, can you have these guys talk more about the newer Maccas like the 570s and 720s especially with regards to reliability and how much have they improved from the 12c? McLarens are still prone to the unreliable tags because of the first gen 12c but fewer owners are complaining about the new ones (apart from the waiting list to service/repair issues). Thanks.

[@ThorneyMotorsport]

Already planned for you.

[@ChrisPlow]

Excellent video with loads of relevant info thank you. I have just put a deposit down on 12C Spider and asked Thorney Motorsport to inspect for me, fingers crossed ....

[@cHackz18]

what an amazing piece of content. proper expertise!

[@Matt.4877]

More of this type of video please

[@akeene30]

Great video, there’s a man who knows his onions..👍 12c imo is an absolute bargain atm; and there aren’t many bargains out there.

[@Utahsaint]

Great video and details! Thx guys.

[@grantdavies6081]

Hope these guys figure out a pattner in Atlanta Georgia as they expand, love their expertise and matter of fact approach to the incorrect generalization that all mclarens are nightmares ;)

[@johnmorrison27]

Brilliant video and very informative 👍

[@autocrossracer8320]

Are Cam Phasers a significant issue?

[@gaz5663]

Not sure why I watched that , don't have a mclaren and not likely to either !

[@HolyGeeMoly]

Damn makes me wonder if theres a shop like this in the states. If so I'd consider this going to the list of possible toy in the future.

[@enforcementofficer4802]

Another fantastic video - thank you!!!

[@slasher9883]

199 quid is a small price to pay for piece of mind, especially on a car known to be fragile and expensive to repair. This guy sure knows what he is talking about.

[@salimsopari]

thank you for making this video

[@Gorbyrev]

How reassuring to hear a guy who has invested the time and effort to become a proper independent specialist rather than a shrill KZbinr. I don't doubt people have had problems but a car is series of fixable problems. It will always be pricey on something like this but what a car.

[@christopherrichardson5652]

Interesting observation of the information/entertainment system various levels of CRAP now this a technical term not heard from a supercar 🤣🤣🤣🤣💪💪

[@n19kam]

Look I have had many cars from GTR to Aston Martin, its about understanding the network. I was told when I bought my NISMO the tyres £1500, so I shopped around for Michelin P4 and paid £800 all round NISMO speed rated. As for Servicing 12C quoted £1000 from McClaren Dealer/Stealer yet Thorney or Litchfield £499 replacing using genuine parts !.

[@minatormyth]

Well that was interesting, thanks

[@darrenporter1850]

Bizarre. I live in Canada, just got back to England and just drove past their company. Thought I recognized the logo!

[@ericuchbar9896]

Where is the catch tank for the transmission you are talking about? I’m curious if I have one. If I do does that usually mean the transmission doesn’t have the common leak?

[@henryhol8538]

Are you concidering to offer a replacement Infotainment system? Do you know if an aftermarket one exists that will fit?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I don't think there is a solution beyond the official McLaren upgrade

[@chrisbutcher3280]

henryhol8538 a

[@Krishna-lo3et]

Wow! Great blog, can you open a shop in Australia.

[@mrmarrow8918]

Great video!

[@mikebaker8667]

Excellent,highly informative..................

[@MehdiJ-zw7dz]

Was he in the Top Gear team on that 24 hour race episode ?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I believe so

[@GlobalJuggler]

Yep. He was

[@richardhintonracing]

Lots of items there that would not fail on even a Dacia. Clearly, I would think not enough endurance durability testing before it was released. Parts prices are what puts people off.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Dacias have been in development for nearly 20 years though as they are just old Renault designs

[@richardhintonracing]

@@JayEmmOnCars True enough but owners at this price point are entitled to expect a fully sorted car.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Entitled yes but history dictates lower run bespoke cars like this will always suffer these kinds of issues. The way the manufacturer deals with it to me is more important and here McLaren really fail

[@shoobidyboop8634]

Fantastic, thx.

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

Main seals r gud at least ..and clutch life?

[@cosmicquasar1747]

You would hope there would be less issues with such an expensive vehicle. 911 better buy. Mainstream vehicles are now coming with 7 years warranty period while the supercar manufacturers are still stuck on 3 years and try to sell you an expensive extended warranty plan. They need to do better and not rely on people with more money than sense to prop up their inflated costs.

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

They're hi end cars they do t got budgeting of Porsche

[@sjw811]

This thing just seems like a huge roll of the dice. I can stomach everything except that trans. A weep hole inspection dose not seem to be an extensive enough diagnosis of good condition to me

[@rajanrairealty8979]

Maybe get aftermarket pads n rotors. Cheaper.

[@loveitorscrapit6673]

Great car. Thumbs up.

[@mikev6046]

Video makes me think Jay has ambitions for 2019 for a 12c.... 👍

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I wish. If you could just watch this video a couple million more times, that'd be great.

[@grahamkelsey8687]

Then 10 million more times after you take ownership ;)

[@JK-zt4ym]

Lol "All Iris are crap. This is a level 1 so it's the highest level of crap".

[@Joolz1982]

Wow £4000 catch tank. I imagine Nissan GTR I want has similar expense if certain parts go wrong.

[@rajanrairealty8979]

The Lil ac screens. The early nav was lol slow .

[@legionnairegonk4425]

These problems and the cost of fixing them is why so many go to the default 911 option...

[@geriatricmotorcars9516]

Why do you bother , More than one comment you hater move on

[@cdaledave89]

Geez, we need guys like this in the US. 199 quid for an inspection? It costs almost as much at the dealer to replace batteries in the key fobs.

[@trickyrat483]

So, a garage in the middle of nowhere - so no Central London rent/rates costs - is asking £167 per hour in labour charges, based on his comments about the oil drain tank. And I guess that's going to have VAT added on top. Insane prices. But hey, I guess it's less than the "mugging" at a McLaren main dealer; still, it's a mugging. Think I'll stick to other brands of car.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It is much cheaper than a McLaren main dealer, and of course prices for multiple jobs can be negotiated, this is just aimed to give you a rough guide.

[@brandonfromlondonuk3484]

bmw mini charge more than £167 per hour

[@zzzzzsleeping]

In the U.S. we don't have a Mclaren good enough garage mechanic and scary to own this car. I heard so many horrible outrageous mechanical issues and overpriced parts. So many Mclaren for sale and no one dare to touch it.

[@nicholasherrera2641]

Get a light

[@LboroWick]

No. I’ll just buy a Lexus, thank you very much. Part of the joy of driving is in the confidence you have on the machine’s integrity, long term robustness and getting to dedicate most of the money on putting miles on it. Not spending fortunes on parts & labour and still worrying.

[@jose7777777777777777]

I don’t think people are cross-shopping a Lexus and a McLaren

[@edgarbeat275]

This car is not a money pit. 1000 plus pounds for a door switch sorted. Yeaaaahhh rightttt.

[@Fluterra]

Here’s the Mclaren buyers’ guide: DO NOT Buy one! They are far too unreliable. And while there is an extended warranty, it’s only good for 7 years (at least in this country), and values will drop the closer you get to the end of it. No one wants to be stuck holding the bag at the end of the warranty.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I believe it's much longer (12 years I recall) here

[@TheSnookerGym]

@@JayEmmOnCars Yes Ferrari are 12 years before they stop offering extending warranties, AND a MAXIMUM total car mileage ceiling of 90,000kms!

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

They're fine just replace clutch

[@jdmimportlogistics]

@@JayEmmOnCars Really enjoy all the McLaren content Jay. I watch all the videos where they tear these things apart and at the end of the day just want a track car. Willing to go Mad Max with full standalone and ditch any frills. So if after 12 years the warranties are voided should we expect to see a heap of first year 12C's going for cheap around 2024?

[@ryanmccormick2150]

First 😊

[@polarbear111000]

Buyer's guide.........turn around.........walk to your nearest Honda dealership.............buy an NSX..........no further guidance required.

[@brandonfromlondonuk3484]

why the nsx is a total fail and cost £140 k or more and looks crap in the uk only 8 were sold

[@tyrantwitness2482]

So are you going to throw money into this pit or buy a new #Tesla ! Do you want the Tesla giggle as you leave the McLaren away from the traffic lights or accelerate from any speed below 125 MPH ! Or have your hair turn grey and pull it out with worry over what's going to go wrong next ! Of course you can always spend £5K on a McLaren warranty for peace of mind ! But don't forget, if you take it to a track, your warranty will be void and the Tesla even has track mode !

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

I must say that whilst this video, without doubt, is of a certain academic interest, its actual practical benefits are extremely limited. Or, to put it another way, who the hell can afford one of these things⁉️🤨🤨🤨

[@JayEmmOnCars]

At the rate they depreciate, more people every week. Bear in mind a lightly specced 911 is the same money as a used 12C now

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@JayEmmOnCars Er, but I don't know anyone who can afford any type of 911, no matter how lightly specced‼️ In fact, most of the people I know would struggle to afford the first instalment on a free meal.☹️☹️☹️

[@JayEmmOnCars]

There's different cars for different budgets. You'll know I try and keep a great variety on the channel. That's why today I was filming a car costing less than a track day at Silverstone - so you'll have that to look forward to.

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@JayEmmOnCars Cletus, I'm not criticizing the video, which, in my opinion, is excellent. I'm taking the piss out of the comments, which give the impression their authors are queueing-up to purchase a plethora of McLaren's finest.🤣🤣🤣

[@legionnairegonk4425]

@@MrKeyboardCommando My budget for next car if I decide to pull the trigger could be £70k IF my z4m coupe gets close to £30k, which based on their appreciating value as a future classic + mine is one of the lowest mileage examples in the UK with less than 13k miles on it means I stand a chance of getting that. But I am not rich, and watch the pennies so I can spend on my first love of fast cars. If a 12c comes down to £70k it would be possible, and could push aside the planned 911 C2s which Jay has well and truly shock my foundation about and put me off with his 997 C2s review showing it to be not as thrilling / exciting to drive as the Z4m (thanks for that Jay 😁 ). But, even if I could go for a 12c / 540c I think these videos of McLaren from Jay and this engineering company have well and truly put me off - no way would I want to spend £70k and then face 4k bill to put in a new fuel tank because some bonehead overtightened a nut! That sort of nonsense where a car bankrupts you I leave to the millionaires. I will stick to my £800 a year BMW comprehensive warranty I think 😉' or a Porsche 2 year approved used car.

[@duybankai]

Buyer's Guide: Don't

[@patrickbrady4919]

Why are they built soo badly I would never spend this amount of money for what is basically a badly built car , remember rolls Royce they used to garuntee their cars for life, you spend this amount of money there should be no faults, if by some fluke of a Friday afternoon idiot let's something pass, the company should replace, restore and componstate the customer for their complete and utter incompetence,merclaren,and all performance car manufacturers get away selling shoddy goods because they tell their customers it's state of the art when in fact most of the engineering is well proofen and all they are doing is tweaking and adapting, If you are charging £250,000 or a lot more get it rite or don't bother getting into the industry at all.l saw your tillage, shame on any industry that dose not have the quality control management or systems to make sure their products are their advertising say's they are 😢

[@lx10]

Unfortunately, my comment will be lost, but in any case I will comment. I grow up seeing Senna and Prost at McLaren, they were my heroes. You could imagine, how I, as a grown man, was happy to see McLaren making road cars and I dream of buying one. I can't afford one, and after seeing this and also, other videos, detailing all the problems on the cars, I will definitely not buy one. You should never, NEVER, meet up your heroes.

[@n19kam]

That's an ignorant personal opinion, I have friends who them and in 3 years not any issues. Yes my other friend has been plagued with issues with his Audi. Its like anything its maintenance and looking after a majority of these high end vehicles.

[@stevereed8786]

What to look for? Money! Your going to need a LOT of money if you own this thing. This car is engineered to remove every dim in your account. You can buy a Lexus for the cost of a break job.