2019 McLaren 570S — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $115,000–$155,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.
Kestrel Take
The 570S is the entry point to McLaren ownership and the most approachable exotic in this class — lighter than the Lamborghini and Ferrari, faster in a straight line than either at this price, and with a chassis so communicative you feel like a better driver than you are. The hydraulic lift and battery drain issues are quirks, not disasters. Get the hydraulics inspected, budget for annual service, and get a PPI. If clean, this is the buy.
What we checked
Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11
NHTSA holds 1 owner complaint for the 2019 McLaren 570S, and no recall campaigns.
A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 100% of them are about one thing — the body and structure. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.
Not written up yet: the body and structure (1 complaint). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2019 McLaren 570S
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
The 570S's front lift system (which raises the nose over speed bumps) uses hydraulic fluid lines that develop leaks at fitting connections. Common on cars over 4 years old. A leaking lift system loses function and can drop fluid onto the exhaust.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,500–$4,000 hydraulic line repair
Source: not yet checked against public records.
The 570S has significant parasitic battery drain when parked for more than 3–4 weeks without a battery tender. McLaren owners who travel frequently find dead batteries regularly.
Repair cost (estimate): $150–$300 battery; $50 for a tender to prevent it
Source: not yet checked against public records.
The electronic differential's hydraulic unit requires fluid service every 3 years. Skipped service causes the e-diff to operate in a degraded mode that reduces exit traction.
Repair cost (estimate): $600–$1,200 e-diff service
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Hydraulic lift system non-functional — not a deal-breaker but negotiate it down and fix it immediately
- ✗Battery recently replaced without explaining why — the parasitic drain issue suggests the car sat for long periods
- ✗No McLaren or McLaren-specialist service history — independent shops vary widely in competence on these cars
Good Signs
- ✓McLaren retailer service history (the brand uses "retailer" not "dealer")
- ✓Battery tender always used — owner understood the car
- ✓Low miles — 570S owners tend to track them but also tend to baby them between events
- ✓PPI from a McLaren-approved shop included in sale documentation
Found a specific McLaren 570S?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2019 McLaren 570S in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.
Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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