McLaren 570S

The 570S uses hydraulic suspension accumulators that manage pressure and fluid flow for precise damping control. McLaren recommends replacing all four accumulators every 3-4 years or 25,000-30,000 km. When the internal rubber diaphragms fail, small black rubber particles are pushed throughout the hydraulic system and can block the APMU (Automatic Pressure Maintenance Unit) valves. Symptoms include poor ride quality, excessive bouncing, and suspension fault warnings on startup. A full set of four accumulators plus labour costs approximately €2,500-4,000 at a specialist. If the APMU valves are blocked by debris from failed accumulators, the repair cost increases further. This is essentially a scheduled maintenance item that becomes a risk if neglected or if a previous owner skipped replacements.

The 570S dihedral doors pivot on hinges that are under significant mechanical stress. Over time, these hinges develop cracks that gradually worsen, eventually affecting door clearance and potentially damaging surrounding paintwork. Hinge replacement costs approximately £2,200 (€2,500) per pair, and the repair typically requires careful recalibration of door alignment. McLaren's extended warranty considers door hinges a body/trim component subject to normal wear, so they are generally not covered. Some owners have received partial goodwill coverage from McLaren. This issue affects many 570S models and should always be inspected during a pre-purchase check.

McLaren uses thinner-than-normal glass to save weight, which makes the windscreen prone to spontaneous stress fractures. A McLaren service manager has acknowledged this as a systemic issue, with reports of multiple windscreen replacements in short periods. The glass can crack without any impact, typically from temperature changes or improper sealant application during a previous replacement. Replacement costs approximately €3,000-4,500 including specialised installation labour, as the process requires experienced technicians. The rear window can also develop similar stress fractures. Factory warranty covers stress fractures, but extended warranty does not cover glass damage. Comprehensive insurance with glass cover is strongly recommended.

The 7-speed Graziano dual-clutch gearbox is generally reliable, but has a known weakness in its main shaft bearings. When these bearings collapse, they cause excess wear on the shaft, leading to oil leaks and potential loss of specific gears (commonly reverse, 2nd, and 4th). McLaren's official solution is a complete gearbox replacement at approximately £14,500 plus VAT (€17,000+). However, specialist workshops like Thorney Motorsport have developed rebuild services that replace the main shaft, bearings, and seals at a fraction of the cost, typically €5,000-7,000 including labour. This failure is rare overall, but catastrophically expensive if it occurs at a McLaren dealer. Finding a specialist who can rebuild rather than replace is essential.

The 570S aluminium body panels suffer from a manufacturing defect where insufficient surface treatment before painting leads to corrosion beneath the paint. This manifests as bubbling, typically at panel edges on doors, front and rear wings, and the engine cover. McLaren has acknowledged this issue and offers a 5-year cosmetic corrosion warranty and a 10-year perforation corrosion warranty, both with unlimited mileage. Out-of-warranty repairs cost approximately €500-2,000 per panel for respray. The problem can recur on replaced panels, as the root cause is in the surface preparation process. All 570S models should be carefully inspected for early signs of bubbling, particularly around panel edges and seams.

Broken coil springs are a known issue across McLaren models including the 570S. The springs corrode and snap, producing clunking noises over bumps and potentially causing dangerous handling. McLaren does not sell replacement springs separately, so their official solution requires replacing the entire shock absorber assembly at approximately €1,800+ per corner. Aftermarket solutions from specialists like Thorney Motorsport now offer standalone replacement springs that save discarding a perfectly functional damper, reducing costs to approximately €800-1,200 per corner including fitting. Always listen for front-end clunks when turning the steering lock-to-lock during a test drive.

The external door button switches on the 570S are vulnerable to water ingress during heavy rain. When water reaches the switch electronics, it can cause the windows to drop unexpectedly, the door latch to malfunction, or the key fob to fail to recognise the car. The fix is relatively straightforward: applying waterproof tape around the hidden door switch. Component replacement costs €300-800 depending on the part and labour. This issue is more annoying than serious, but can leave the car temporarily inaccessible in wet conditions.

The 570S uses an expensive lithium-ion 12V battery that drains rapidly due to parasitic current draw from the car's electronics. If left without a battery tender for more than 1-2 weeks, the voltage drops to a level that triggers cascading electrical errors including ESC failure warnings, tyre pressure monitor faults, and limp mode. A deeply discharged lithium-ion battery may not recover normally and requires specific charging procedures. Replacement batteries cost approximately €500-1,200 depending on source. McLaren strongly recommends using their battery conditioner or a compatible CTEK charger whenever the car is parked for more than a few days. Always turn off the IRIS infotainment system at the end of every drive to reduce drain.