McLaren 720S Common Problems & Reliability
One of the most discussed McLaren models online for reliability, largely because of well-documented accumulator failures — a known, well-understood, and fixable issue rather than a mystery fault.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 720S accumulator problem, and is it serious?
The accumulator is part of the hydraulic suspension system, and its failure is a well-documented, relatively common issue on Super Series cars including the 720S — often first noticed as the car sagging or the ride height/lift system behaving oddly. It's a known repair with a known fix; specialists who do this job regularly can typically complete it faster and at lower cost than a dealer.
Are accumulator failures covered under warranty or CPO coverage?
Coverage varies significantly by warranty provider, CPO program, and country, and owners report mixed experiences — so it's worth getting the specific terms confirmed in writing before assuming coverage either way. If it isn't covered, independent specialists generally charge considerably less than dealer pricing for the same replacement.
Are warning lights and computer resets common on a 720S?
Occasional warning lights or module resets come up often enough in owner discussions to be considered a normal quirk of the car's complexity rather than automatically a serious fault — but persistent or recurring warnings are worth a proper diagnostic session rather than repeatedly clearing the code.
Is a high-mileage 720S a risk to buy?
Owner discussions generally suggest mileage itself matters less than documented maintenance history and how consistently the car has been driven and serviced. A pre-purchase inspection focused on accumulator condition, battery health, and service records is the recurring recommendation before buying higher-mileage examples.
Need a proper diagnosis, not a guess?
If you own a McLaren 720S and something on this page sounds familiar, Jerry at Thorney Motorsport Europe can run a proper diagnostic rather than guessing from a warning light.
Jerry · Thorney Motorsport Europe
Kachletstraße 30a, 94034 Passau, Germany
+49 171 2019174 · jerry@thorneymotorsport.de
Where this is discussed
Real public owner discussions referenced for this page:
- Talked to a guy about his 720s today
- Not reliable?
- Are they that unreliable?
- 720s - need owners opinions
- Is it a common trend for 720s to have minor issues?
- McLaren 720S Reliability
- Is buying a high mileage McLaren a bad idea?
- Used 720S or 600LT, or new Artura?
- Desperate 720s owner asks for help
- McLaren Has a New Owner (Again)
- Would you rather have a McLaren 720S or Ferrari 458?
- Just did our first accumulator job (documented)
- Accumulators covered under CPO warranty in 2025