McLaren 12C (MP4-12C and Spider) buying guide

The 2012 update raised output from 592 hp to 616 hp and cut 0-60 mph from 3.3 seconds to 3.1, according to Exotic Car Hacks. Octane Files adds that McLaren fitted it free on early cars, and that later cars left the factory with 625PS. A 2011 or 2012 car needs proof the update was done.

The Spider arrived in 2012. Its roof folds away for a weight penalty of just 40kg, and since the tub was designed around it, no extra bracing was needed. Evo recommends Spiders: they came after the early production kinks were sorted, they are rarer and they give up no rigidity. It also says Spiders and cars with carbon trim and bucket seats carry a premium. Our Spider price guide shows how the market treats them.

Early cars need not be feared if they have been looked after. Evo says the first 100 were built by MSO and some think them better made. Carbon-ceramic brakes were an option, so check what the car in front of you has; the 2013 McLaren 50 cars (fifty coupes and fifty Spiders) had them as standard.

Octane Files also lists rare special editions: the 2012 12C HS with GT3-inspired aero (ten built), the 2013 Can-Am Edition (planned as 30, stopped at three) and the single X-1 commission. It advises picking a car with the later IRIS system, because the first-generation unit is poor.

Hydraulic accumulators

The four accumulators in the chassis control system wear out and are refurbished about every five to six years. Refurbishment runs £2000 per corner, says evo. Worn actuators can also trigger a PCC fault warning, at around £850 for one or £1,800 for all four per Top Gear.

Gearbox seal leaks

A known oil seal fault makes the gearbox leak, and dealers can only replace the whole unit. Top Gear puts the share of cars affected at around five per cent. A replacement for a seal leak is approximately $28,000, according to Exotic Car Hacks.

Clutch input shaft bearing

Wear in the dual-clutch input shaft bearing leads to a fluid leak. Gearbox rebuilds run around £10k, evo says, so a damp gearbox casing is a reason to walk.

Original infotainment

IRIS 1 is troublesome and its updates have stopped. A hardware upgrade to IRIS 2 costs around £3,000 according to Top Gear and SSO Report. Cars from 2011 and 2012 are eligible, per Foreign Automotive, while 2013-2014 cars usually have IRIS 2 already.

Bubbling paint

Moisture trapped in the composite panels makes the paint bubble, and each panel needs a respray. Both Octane Files and evo give ballpark £1200 per panel.

Rear light condensation

The rear lights tend to fog up inside. Top Gear quotes around £500 for the brake light, £550 for the indicator or £700 for both.

Doors, pump and air conditioning

The door handle sensor can fail in wet weather and stop the doors opening, and the gas struts lose pressure after about five to seven years. Evo says water pump leaks are common. A failed air conditioning radiator can leave the system blowing only hot air.

Top Gear and Kelley Blue Book give the desired servicing schedule as 12 months or 10,000 miles, and Top Gear puts a service at around £1,500. Those are UK figures.

The large bills are the faults above: £2000 per corner for accumulators (evo), around £10k for a gearbox rebuild (evo) and ballpark £1200 per panel for paint. Octane Files and evo put a top-end rebuild at £8k to £15k, and evo says a full rebuild on a tuned car is £25k+. See our McLaren cost guide for the wider picture.

Find a Spider, as evo does: it came after the early production problems and keeps the coupe's rigidity. A 2013 or 2014 car usually has IRIS 2 already, which spares you the upgrade. Browse Spider listings, and compare the market in the Spider price guide only after the car's history checks out. A well-kept early coupe can still be a good car.

Skip any car with a damp gearbox or a tuned engine, and press the seller for the date of the last accumulator refurbishment. A tuned car on standard conrods carries the risk of a rebuild costing £25k+, according to evo.