McLaren 570S review - Reliability and Safety

Despite the fact it hasn’t been (and won’t be) tested by Euro NCAP, the advanced technology present in McLaren’s MonoCell carbon tub, plus years of racing experience, go together to make the 570S a reassuring bet on the safety front. Which is just as well, because the chances are that if you lose control of a car such as this you’ll be travelling at silly speeds.

As a pure driving machine, you’ll not be surprised to learn McLaren doesn’t load the 570S up with advanced driving aids such as autonomous braking, lane-keeping or cross traffic sensors. Aside from the chassis stability package with its various driving modes, the ‘active safety’ is limited to a reversing camera and parking sensors. Traction and stability control is included, of course.

Engine reliability should be pretty good, as McLaren’s 3.8-litre V8 has been around for a few years now. But despite the company having had had plenty time to develop and validate its electronics and infotainment system – which was frankly pretty dodgy on early versions of the 12C – there have been a few notable electrical gremlins that may worry potential buyers. 

You’re unlikely to find fault with the build quality of standard of materials, however.

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Warranty 

All McLarens come with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, with the option to extend cover for up to 12 years.

Servicing

Scare stories about the cost of supercar maintenance are one of the reasons Ferrari offers ‘free’ servicing for seven years. McLaren charges less upfront to buy the 570S than you need to purchase a 488 GTB, but you will have to pick up your own servicing tab. With expensive consumables (and stiff labour rates) you definitely need to know what you’re letting yourself in for.