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McLaren 720S / 720S Spider / 765LT P14 faults

4 faults documented by at least two sources, listed by version then by mileage at onset when known.

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5

4 known faults

720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG

  1. Hydraulic suspension accumulators

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The interconnected hydraulic suspension (PCC II) uses accumulators with a limited lifespan. PistonHeads reports that owners regard them as consumables, that the fault can occur even on cars with very low mileage, and that it triggers a “suspension failure” message and disables the front lift. Foreign Automotive typically puts their life at 50,000 to 80,000 km, with a firm ride or limp mode. Exotic Auto Parts puts a hydraulic suspension repair at $8,000 to $15,000 or more. On the 765LT, Foreign Automotive has only seen the first pressure losses on the very first 2020 cars. PistonHeads reports that the warranty may exclude these parts.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  2. Recall: foam under the fuel tank (corrosion)

    Manufacturer recall

    McLaren recalled 2016-2020 720S cars fitted with a foam noise pad under the fuel tank: it can trap corrosive moisture, pierce the tank with micro-holes and cause a leak under the car, increasing the risk of fire (NHTSA, recall 20V-231, 2,763 vehicles across all models, including 2,008 720S from 2018 to 2020). Dealers remove the foam and inspect the tank, free of charge.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  3. Recall: brake banjo bolt incorrectly drilled

    Manufacturer recall

    Brake hose banjo bolts made incorrectly by a supplier may not let fluid pass through to the caliper: no braking at all on one wheel (NHTSA, recall 21V-561, 10 McLaren 720S built between July 2019 and March 2020). Carscoops notes that the car may pull to one side under braking. Dealers inspect each bolt and replace it if necessary, free of charge. PistonHeads mentions this recall.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  4. Electronics, infotainment and battery

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    PistonHeads notes that the 720S is not immune to electrical or software faults. Foreign Automotive describes infotainment problems (frozen screen, missing reversing camera, Bluetooth, navigation), usually fixed by reprogramming, and a battery that discharges if the car stands for more than two weeks without a charger. On the 765LT, PistonHeads reports an owner with an engine warning light and limp mode, and recommends keeping an eye on the battery.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG

  1. Hydraulic suspension accumulators

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The interconnected hydraulic suspension (PCC II) uses accumulators with a limited lifespan. PistonHeads reports that owners regard them as consumables, that the fault can occur even on cars with very low mileage, and that it triggers a “suspension failure” message and disables the front lift. Foreign Automotive typically puts their life at 50,000 to 80,000 km, with a firm ride or limp mode. Exotic Auto Parts puts a hydraulic suspension repair at $8,000 to $15,000 or more. On the 765LT, Foreign Automotive has only seen the first pressure losses on the very first 2020 cars. PistonHeads reports that the warranty may exclude these parts.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  2. Recall: foam under the fuel tank (corrosion)

    Manufacturer recall

    McLaren recalled 2016-2020 720S cars fitted with a foam noise pad under the fuel tank: it can trap corrosive moisture, pierce the tank with micro-holes and cause a leak under the car, increasing the risk of fire (NHTSA, recall 20V-231, 2,763 vehicles across all models, including 2,008 720S from 2018 to 2020). Dealers remove the foam and inspect the tank, free of charge.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  3. Recall: brake banjo bolt incorrectly drilled

    Manufacturer recall

    Brake hose banjo bolts made incorrectly by a supplier may not let fluid pass through to the caliper: no braking at all on one wheel (NHTSA, recall 21V-561, 10 McLaren 720S built between July 2019 and March 2020). Carscoops notes that the car may pull to one side under braking. Dealers inspect each bolt and replace it if necessary, free of charge. PistonHeads mentions this recall.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  4. Electronics, infotainment and battery

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    PistonHeads notes that the 720S is not immune to electrical or software faults. Foreign Automotive describes infotainment problems (frozen screen, missing reversing camera, Bluetooth, navigation), usually fixed by reprogramming, and a battery that discharges if the car stands for more than two weeks without a charger. On the 765LT, PistonHeads reports an owner with an engine warning light and limp mode, and recommends keeping an eye on the battery.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG

  1. Hydraulic suspension accumulators

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The interconnected hydraulic suspension (PCC II) uses accumulators with a limited lifespan. PistonHeads reports that owners regard them as consumables, that the fault can occur even on cars with very low mileage, and that it triggers a “suspension failure” message and disables the front lift. Foreign Automotive typically puts their life at 50,000 to 80,000 km, with a firm ride or limp mode. Exotic Auto Parts puts a hydraulic suspension repair at $8,000 to $15,000 or more. On the 765LT, Foreign Automotive has only seen the first pressure losses on the very first 2020 cars. PistonHeads reports that the warranty may exclude these parts.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  2. Electronics, infotainment and battery

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    PistonHeads notes that the 720S is not immune to electrical or software faults. Foreign Automotive describes infotainment problems (frozen screen, missing reversing camera, Bluetooth, navigation), usually fixed by reprogramming, and a battery that discharges if the car stands for more than two weeks without a charger. On the 765LT, PistonHeads reports an owner with an engine warning light and limp mode, and recommends keeping an eye on the battery.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG

  1. Hydraulic suspension accumulators

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The interconnected hydraulic suspension (PCC II) uses accumulators with a limited lifespan. PistonHeads reports that owners regard them as consumables, that the fault can occur even on cars with very low mileage, and that it triggers a “suspension failure” message and disables the front lift. Foreign Automotive typically puts their life at 50,000 to 80,000 km, with a firm ride or limp mode. Exotic Auto Parts puts a hydraulic suspension repair at $8,000 to $15,000 or more. On the 765LT, Foreign Automotive has only seen the first pressure losses on the very first 2020 cars. PistonHeads reports that the warranty may exclude these parts.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented
  2. Electronics, infotainment and battery

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    PistonHeads notes that the 720S is not immune to electrical or software faults. Foreign Automotive describes infotainment problems (frozen screen, missing reversing camera, Bluetooth, navigation), usually fixed by reprogramming, and a battery that discharges if the car stands for more than two weeks without a charger. On the 765LT, PistonHeads reports an owner with an engine warning light and limp mode, and recommends keeping an eye on the battery.

    Versions
    720S Coupé 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 720S Spider 4.0 V8 720 SSG, 765LT Coupé 4.0 V8 765 SSG, 765LT Spider 4.0 V8 765 SSG
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Price and diagnose repairs

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the McLaren 720S / 720S Spider / 765LT P14 (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

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