2019 McLaren 570S — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $115,000–$155,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.
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.
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 range: $1,500–$4,000 hydraulic line repair
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 range: $150–$300 battery; $50 for a tender to prevent it
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 range: $600–$1,200 e-diff service
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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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.